Hampstead Heath Running Route, London (5 km)
A circular running route across Hampstead Heath — about 5 km of open grassland, wooded paths, and views from Parliament Hill over London.
· 2 min read
Hampstead Heath is woodland, meadows and ponds spread across the high ground of north London, and it stays half-wild in a way little else in the city manages. This 5 km running loop climbs Parliament Hill for the view, works north as far as Kenwood, and drops back down past the bathing ponds. After the flat circuit of Hyde Park or the short pull in Greenwich Park, Hampstead Heath asks more of your navigation — the paths fork and the signs are few.
The Hampstead Heath loop
It is run by the City of London Corporation rather than the local borough, and left rougher than most London parks for it.
Route
England - London - Hampstead Heath
- Distance
- 5.0 km
- Ascent
- 110 m
- Max altitude
- 116 m
Works in Komoot, AllTrails, Garmin & most hiking apps.
- Start and finish: Hampstead Heath, near Hampstead Heath station
- Distance: About 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Ascent: Roughly 100 metres, spread over two climbs
- Terrain: Grass, gravel and packed earth — rolling, and often muddy after rain
Paths fork without signs and a wrong turn quietly adds distance, so the GPX track earns its keep. Expect dog walkers, families, and swimmers most of the year.
Running it
Parliament Hill comes first — a short climb up open grass to the viewpoint in the southeast corner. At 98 metres it is one of the highest natural points in London, and the view south is a protected one: St Paul’s, the Shard and the Palace of Westminster sit in a sightline that no new tower is allowed to block.
From there the route drops east through the trees, where the ground turns to gravel and packed earth that holds water, so expect mud after rain. A rolling mile follows, then the longer climb of the day: a steady pull up toward Kenwood, the mansion at the north of Hampstead Heath that English Heritage runs, its art collection free to walk into. This is the climb that makes an honest 5 km of it — not Parliament Hill.
A long descent then drops back toward the bathing ponds and the start. Grass and mud both turn slick underfoot, so grippy trail or road shoes beat smooth soles here. As city running goes it is an honest one: the two climbs and the loose footing make it longer than a flat 5 km has any right to feel.