The Heath offers some of the best trail running in London with routes to suit everything from a quick parkrun to serious long run training.
Hampstead Heath is one of London's finest running destinations, 790 acres of varied, hilly, scenic terrain offering routes for every kind of runner, from gentle flat loops to demanding hill sessions. This guide covers the best running routes on the Heath and how to make the most of them.
- The Heath offers running for all levels, from flat loops to serious hills
- Largely off-road and hilly, trail shoes recommended
- Parliament Hill provides hill training and spectacular views
- The weekly parkrun is a free, timed 5K every Saturday
- Combine running with a swim in the ponds
- See also the running routes guide
Why Run on the Heath
Hampstead Heath is a runner's dream. Its size, variety, and hilly terrain make it far more rewarding than a flat urban park or a treadmill. You can run on grass, woodland trails, and surfaced paths; tackle real hills or seek flatter routes; and enjoy beautiful scenery, fresh air, and a genuine escape from the city, all within North London. The varied surfaces are also kinder on the joints than pavement, and the hills build real strength and fitness.
The Heath suits every runner: beginners building fitness, club runners doing intervals and hill work, trail runners seeking varied terrain, and anyone who simply loves running somewhere beautiful.
The Best Running Routes
Parliament Hill for Hills
For hill training, Parliament Hill is unbeatable. The climb to the summit is a genuine test, rewarded by one of London's great views. Hill repeats here are a staple of serious runners' training, the slope is steep enough to build real strength, and the view at the top makes the effort worthwhile.
The Pond Loop for Flatter Running
For a gentler run, a loop taking in the Heath ponds offers beautiful waterside running on more forgiving terrain, ideal for beginners, recovery runs, or anyone avoiding the steepest climbs. In summer, finish with a dip in the ponds.
The Full Heath Circuit for Distance
For distance and variety, a full circuit links woodland, grassland, hills, and ponds into a satisfying longer run, taking in the Kenwood woods, the West Heath, and the open southern grassland. The route can be extended, shortened, and varied endlessly.
Woodland Trails
For trail running, the Heath's woodland paths, around Kenwood and the West Heath, offer soft, varied running among the ancient trees, especially beautiful in autumn.
David Osei, a club runner, trains on the Heath several times a week. "Parliament Hill repeats build strength like nothing else, and the view at the top makes the pain worth it," he said. "Other days I just run the Kenwood trails for the joy of it. Running the same flat loop is soul-destroying; the Heath is never the same twice. It's made me stronger and kept me in love with running. I'd move house before I'd give up training here."
The Hampstead Heath parkrun
A highlight of the Heath running scene is the weekly parkrun, a free, timed 5K every Saturday at 9am. The course is scenic but genuinely hilly and challenging, welcoming all abilities from first-timers and walkers to seasoned racers. Register once online, bring your barcode, and join one of London's most welcoming running communities. See the parkrun guide for full details.
Tips for Running the Heath
- Wear trail shoes: The terrain is uneven and often muddy, especially in winter.
- Respect the hills: Pace yourself; use the climbs for training rather than fighting them.
- Vary your routes: The Heath's size means endless variety, mix hills, trails, and flat loops.
- Mind the conditions: Paths can be slippery after rain; take care on descents.
- Combine with a swim: In summer, finish at the ponds.
- Go early: Early mornings are quietest and most beautiful, the dawn is special.
Combining Running with the Heath
A run pairs naturally with the Heath's other pleasures: a post-run swim or coffee, the view from Parliament Hill as a goal, or the parkrun community on a Saturday morning. A run, a swim, and a coffee is one of the best mornings the Heath offers.
Practical Information
- Where: Across the Heath's 790 acres, hills, trails, grassland, pond loops
- Terrain: Hilly and largely off-road, trail shoes recommended
- Best routes: Parliament Hill (hills), pond loop (flat), full circuit (distance), woodland trails
- parkrun: Free 5K, every Saturday 9am, register online first
- Best for: Runners of all levels seeking varied, scenic terrain
- Getting there: Hampstead (Northern line), Hampstead Heath and Gospel Oak (Overground)
Hampstead Heath is one of the finest places to run in London, varied, challenging, beautiful, and a genuine escape from the city. Whether you tackle Parliament Hill repeats, enjoy a gentle pond loop, run the woodland trails, or join the Saturday parkrun, the Heath rewards every kind of runner. Lace up your trail shoes, pick a route, and discover why so many of London's runners call the Heath home. For more detail, see the running routes guide.
