London running paths: Best routes, views, and hidden trails for runners

When you think of London running paths, public routes designed for jogging, walking, or training through the city’s green spaces and waterways. Also known as London jogging trails, they’re not just sidewalks with a sign—they’re the city’s quiet pulse, where commuters, athletes, and weekend runners find space to breathe. Unlike crowded gyms or busy streets, these paths let you move through London without noise, without traffic, and without the pressure to perform. You’re not just running—you’re passing under centuries-old bridges, past silent churches, and alongside rivers that have shaped the city’s history.

Many of the best Thames Path, a 184-mile trail following the River Thames from its source to the sea, with a popular urban stretch through central London offer flat, paved stretches perfect for long runs. You’ll find locals logging miles between Tower Bridge and Greenwich, with skyline views that change with the light. Then there’s Regent’s Park, a 395-acre green space in central London with a 2.95-mile outer loop favored by runners for its smooth surface and tree-lined quiet. It’s the kind of place where you might pass someone doing yoga at dawn, a dog walker with a cup of tea, or a group of friends laughing after a sprint. The Hyde Park, a vast royal park with dedicated running lanes, popular for both casual jogs and serious training isn’t far behind—its Serpentine loop is a favorite for tempo runs, and you’ll often see marathoners prepping here months before race day.

But London’s real running gems aren’t the famous ones. They’re the hidden paths: the quiet stretch along the Grand Union Canal near Little Venice, where you’ll see houseboats and herons, not tourists. Or the path through Holland Park that wraps around the Japanese garden, silent except for birds and falling leaves. These are the routes locals keep to themselves—not because they’re secret, but because they’re simple, honest, and unpolished. You don’t need fancy gear or a coach. Just shoes, a water bottle, and the willingness to wander.

What makes these paths work isn’t just the scenery—it’s the rhythm they give you. You can run fast here, or slow. Alone, or with a friend. At 6 a.m. or 9 p.m. No one checks your pace. No one cares if you stop to watch the sunset over the Thames. The city doesn’t demand perfection—it just asks you to show up.

Below, you’ll find real stories from runners who’ve found their favorite loops, hidden shortcuts, and quiet corners in London. Whether you’re training for a race, looking for a stress-relief escape, or just want to see the city differently, these routes will show you what’s possible when you lace up and step off the pavement.