Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace Parkland Walk

Walking to a Hilltop Palace Along an Old Railway Line

This is a gentle stroll along the track bed of the railway that once linked Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. The land has survived threats from developers to become the Parkland Walk, a green and tranquil corridor through the heart of residential North London. The walk joins two sections of old track bed via an exploration of Queen's Wood and Highgate Wood, and ends with a short section through a public park to the magnificent hilltop site of Alexandra Palace, which affords fabulous views over London.

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Start Point

Finsbury Park Station

Grid Ref: TQ 31394 86880

Total Distance

5.1 miles (8.2 km)

Total Climbing

149 metres

Estimated Time

2–3 hours

Difficulty Grade

Easy

Trail Navigation Files:

💾 Download GPX Route Google Earth (KMZ) 📖 About the Parkland Walk

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

Essential paper map for exploring London North:

173 London North →

The Walk Report

The old railway from Finsbury Park to Highgate was opened by the Great Northern Railway in 1867, with the branch line to Alexandra Palace following in 1873. After facing heavy competition from trams and buses, the last passenger train ran on July 3, 1954, and the line closed completely in 1970 before transforming into a green pedestrian corridor.

Passing the remains of Stroud Green Station and Crouch End Station, the route reaches Highgate and continues through Queen's Wood and the 70-acre Highgate Wood (once part of the ancient Forest of Middlesex, where excavations revealed Roman pottery that supplied Londinium).

Following the Parkland Walk from Finsbury

Rejoining the old railway line past Muswell Hill, the old viaduct offers spectacular panoramic views of London, including Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs. The walk concludes through The Grove in Alexandra Park up to the magnificent hilltop landmark of Alexandra Palace.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.

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Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace Parkland Walk

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

The Walk Report

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