Hills of the North: Ally Pally via Hampstead Heath

This is a train-assisted ride, starting from Paddington and finishing at Farringdon.

Important Information

** Please read carefully to decide if this is the ride for you!**

This is a challenging ride. It includes: -

- hills, lots of hills: the amount of ascent is comparable to a day ride in the Chilterns. You need to be willing to have a go at some steep climbs;

- approx. 6km off-road riding on unsealed surfaces, which are loose/gravelly in places (more so than usual after prolonged dry weather);

- 200m steep uphill walk on a woodland trail where cycling is prohibited;

- some short sections of riding in busy traffic, especially through Highgate.

The Ride

Starting from Paddington, we ride through Marylebone and on to Regent’s Park. Then we head up through Chalk Farm and Gospel Oak to reach Hampstead Heath. We cross the Heath, and ride on up to Highgate.

We continue to climb, reaching the northern section of the off-road Parkland Trail, with fantastic views across the rooftops of London. We will ride up to the top of Alexandra Palace and stroll around the terrace admiring the panoramic views, before making our way to the Boat House Café for our lunch stop https://www.alexandrapalace.com/food-drink/boathouse-cafe/.

After lunch, we ride on through Alexandra Park and turn back towards Highgate. We will need to dismount and walk our bikes through Queens Wood, before joining the southern section of the Parkland Walk down to Finsbury Park.

Quiet back roads bring us through Islington and on to Farringdon for train services home. If you prefer, you can leave the ride at Highbury & Islington station.

Train-assisted ride, starting from Paddington and finishing at Farringdon. Challenging hilly ride across Hampstead Heath, through Highgate and up to Alexandra Palace.

Quieter roads where possible, some sections on busier roads. Off-road tracks which are loose/gravelly in places. Shared paths in parks.

Lunch stop at Alexandra Palace.

Money/card for cafe stop & travel fares. Lock for your bike.

Please read the ride description carefully.