Urban Hiking Is The New Trend Set To Take Over London This Summer
By
3 weeks ago
But what is it? Here’s your ultimate guide
Londoners love to bemoan the city smog, the tube dust, the overpopulation and the urbanisation of the British capital – but it’s actually the greenest major city in Europe. Despite its 3,000 public green spaces (making up about 20 percent of London’s footprint), though, plenty of Londoners flock to the home counties come the weekend to hike and ramble across more expansive green spaces; think Box Hill, the Chilterns and the classic Seven Sisters clifftop walk.
But if you’re stuck for time, something closer to home might be what you’re craving. Introducing urban hiking, the latest walking trend set to take over your TikTok and Instagram feeds this summer as city dwellers get out and about, exploring the hidden green pathways in their cities.
A younger sibling to TikTok-favoured soft hiking, Merrell Hiking Club has been running urban hikes since its inception in 2021. A women-centric community of hikers and an off-shoot of the outdoor active footwear brand, the team has noticed a recent uptick in the popularity of urban hiking. ‘Our next urban hike has over one hundred people on the waitlist!’ says Carla Khouri, an outdoor instructor and the UK community lead at Merrell Hiking Club. ‘Many people are eager to get outside to explore unfamiliar parts of their cities and connect with others while doing so.’
Keen to get involved? We’ve teamed up with Merrell Hiking Club to share exactly what you need to know before you embark on your next urban hiking adventure.
What Is Urban Hiking?
‘Urban hiking involves intentionally exploring city landscapes through planned routes that might include parks, green corridors, and historic neighbourhoods,’ Carla says. ‘While there’s no strict definition separating a hike from a walk, hiking typically involves deliberately planning a route, often in new or unfamiliar areas, as opposed to casual walks to local shops or familiar parks. Urban hiking differs from traditional hiking by embracing urban environments rather than rural, rugged landscapes.’
What Are The Benefits?
‘Urban hiking offers numerous physical and mental health benefits while introducing an element of adventure into everyday life,’ Carla says. ‘When done in groups, it fosters social connections and can deepen engagement with the wider community. Perhaps most significantly, urban hiking allows us to appreciate the resilience of nature within city environments – plants and wildlife thriving despite what can be considered a challenging environment to live in.’
Is London A Good Place To Urban Hike?
‘London is, in my opinion, the best city for urban hiking,’ Carla says. ‘It’s my home town, and there are just so many green spaces that can make you feel like you’re out of the city. There are the obvious big parks like The Royal Parks in London, but there are also countless lesser-known green spaces that can be explored.
‘At Merrell Hiking Club, we have loved our urban hikes in Richmond Park, the Parkland Walk trail from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace and more recently, along the New River path from Islington,’ Carla says.
Urban Hiking: The Kit List
‘The beauty of urban hiking lies in its simplicity,’ Carla says. ‘Unlike remote wilderness treks, you don’t need a lot of gear as there’ll likely be easy access to transport and help if needed. Focus primarily on comfort, especially for your feet. A quality pair of walking shoes or trainers will allow you to walk for miles.
‘I love Merrell’s SpeedARC Matis shoe for urban hiking,’ Carla recommends. ‘Appropriate clothing is also important. Even on sunny days, it’s wise to pack a lightweight raincoat in your bag so you’re always prepared for Britain’s unpredictable weather.’
Gorp core summer has officially landed. Here’s the C&TH urban hiking kit list.
