Favourite places for non-drivers?

Following a lengthy recovery from a knee injury I'm keen to get into hiking properly, but as somebody who lives in London and can't drive I'm running into quite a few logistical problems.

Has anyone got any good recommendations for places that don't specifically need a car to get to? Or good campsites that are a (all good if its long) walk from a train station?

I've got a pedal bike and a few places narrowed down, but I thought I'd ask because there's probably a few good spots I've missed!

I'm relatively fit and healthy and have done a few 1000-1400m mountains as a reference for capability, though I do love an easier day hike too. Thanks!

in UKhikingby grayson0010101

79%

14d

sc_BK

14d

You can get a direct train from Euston to Corrour

sludgemonkey01

14d

If you join a walking club then you can go walking regularly and get a lift to wherever they are going.

CTeaA_

14d

Depends where in London you are but you can get into the countryside fairly quickly once you get near/past the M25. Find a train in a direction till you're just for enough out, and then walk circularly, or back towards or around London to another station.

Can take the metropolitan line the farthest out on the tube to Chesham and do the Chess Valley to Rickmansworth.

Any direction from St Albans.

Two trainlines either side of Broxbourne Woodlands.

Epping forrest in the NE.

DidierCrumb

14d

This website has a bunch, easier from North London

https://www.hertfordshirewalker.uk/?m=1

LaidBackLeopard

14d

The Time Out Book(s) of Country Walks have walks you can do from a London base + train.

hikingben88

14d

Trains from London can easily get you to: - West Highlands via the sleeper train from Euston - Cairngorms via the sleeper as well (to Aviemore/Pitlochry) - Torridon via the sleeper to Euston, train out to Kyle Of Lochalsh and a one day through walk to Shieldaig/Torridon/Kinlochewe - Lake District via Euston with a bus then into Windermere/Ambleside/Keswick - Brecon Beacons via Paddington to Cardiff then the TfW bus to Brecon (get off at the start of several walks enroute)

If you're looking for something more local, the commuter service from Paddington to Didcot Parkway drops you on the route of the ridgeway at Goring & Streatley. Not a complex route or mountain but maybe a good warm up for a longer through hike of going to Swindon to get the train back to London (more than 1 day)

emaddxx

14d

There're plenty of hikes you can do by train from London. Just google it and you should find a lot of info. E.g. there're a few campsites along the South Downs Way that are easy to get to.

omor_fi

14d

Have you been to the New Forest? Several of the villages have train stations and there are plenty of places to camp.

grayson0010101

14d

I have yeah! I used to live in Hampshire and did much of the South Downs too. Just looking for more challenging places, perhaps up north as well

Glittering-Total9205

13d

Can get a train direct to holyhead or Llandudno.(they used to run) bit of a journey but, pretty much any station is within in 30mins(sometimes 10) of a nice walk.

Norfolk_an_Chance

13d

Here are loads of ideas:

https://www.railwalks.co.uk/

tomorrowness

13d

As a non-car owning Londoner I'm a happy user of walkingclub.org which has hundreds of day walks all accessible by public transport from London.

Other suggestions include peak district (train to edale from Euston), the Malvern hills or the Shropshire hills, all easily accessible by train.

tigerlion246

13d

Plenty of places to go hiking in and around London, use Google to work out bus and train routes

Disastrous-Lime4551

13d

Does it have to be a mountain? If not Epping Forest has some decent long walks and feels remote, and Lee Valley has some lovely walks around fishing lakes and canal paths.

CurveInternational44

12d

I live in Yorkshire and have never driven. We have the Moorsbus and the Dalesbus. I think there's one for the Peak district too. I find a walk and then look for transport. Train and bus. Buses are good because they're cheap 🙂

sjr606

14d

Betws-y-coed. Has a train station did this walk today. Was epic

grayson0010101

14d

looks sick, I appreciate it :)

Puzzleheaded_Gear801

14d

That brings back memories of my gold dofe exped, and having to get back from there to Manchester.

sjr606

14d

That sounds fun. How did you get on?

tigerlion246

13d

Plenty of places to go hiking in and around London, use Google to work out bus and train routes

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