Lea Valley Walk
A 53-mile long-distance walk from Luton to London following the course of the River Lea from source to end. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: TL 061 243
Distance: 53 miles (85 km)
Time: 20–25 hours
Duration: 3–5 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
162 Greenwich and Gravesend
173 London North
174 Epping Forest and Lee Valley
182 St Albans, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead and Welwyn Garden City
193 Luton and Stevenage
194 Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford
Summary
The Lea Valley Walk is a 53-mile long-distance footpath located between Leagrave (the source of the River Lea near Luton) and the River Thames at Limehouse Basin in East London. From its source, much of the walk is rural. At Hertford, the path follows the towpath of the River Lee Navigation, becoming increasingly urbanized as it approaches London. Locations along the route, in order, include Luton, Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Welwyn, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware, Hoddesdon, Cheshunt, and Waltham Abbey. In Greater London, the boroughs traversed are Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest. The walk was opened in 1993 and is waymarked with a swan logo.