The London Outer Orbital Path or "London LOOP" is a 225 km (140 mile) signed walk along public footpaths, and through parks, woods and fields in Outer London.

History

The walk was first proposed at a meeting between ramblers and the Countryside Commission in 1990. It was given an official launch at the House of Lords in 1993.

Route

The walk begins at Erith on the south bank of the River Thames and goes clockwise through Crayford, Petts Wood, Coulsdon, Kingston, Uxbridge, Elstree, Cockfosters, Chingford and Upminster Bridge before ending at the Rainham marshes, directly across the Thames from its starting point. Unfortunatley, there is no way to cross the river there and complete the loop.

Signposts, waymarks and information boards should direct the walker along the route. However, local authorities are responsible for funding these signs, and so the quality varies from borough to borough, with some sections not being signed at all.

Books

• The London LOOP by David Sharp, ISBN 1-85410-759-3