One of London's best walks, the Parkland Walk will weave you through north London neighbourhoods you might otherwise miss – Crouch End, Highgate and Muswell Hill – whether you're a visitor or a local.
Though there'll plenty of city views to admire along the trail (one spot, overlooking Muswell Hill's picturesque white houses, is particularly enamouring in the summer sun) – you'll also get lost in nature, and step back in time.
The tree-lined, two-and-a-half mile walk follows the green-covered tracks of a former railway line, that in the late 1800s ran between Finsbury Park and Ally Pally. You'll traverse the old tracks en route, but sadly you won't get to explore any abandoned platforms. A disused Highgate entrance, which you'll pass, is closed to the public due to safety concerns.
On weekends, you won't be alone on the Parkland Walk, but you will find the peace and quiet is the antithesis of the loud, high-pressured,(and polluted) capital. Also on weekends, walkers can explore the Wildlife Trail: a newly-added section of the walk which protects 'environmentally sensitive' flora and fauna, and requires the support of volunteers to keep in order.