The best walks and hikes around the London Borough Of Barking And Dagenham

Yes, the area is great for families. Eastbrookend Country Park is a popular choice, featuring the fun Arty's Sculpture Trail which starts at the Discovery Centre. The terrain is mostly flat and accessible. For an easy walk that's perfect for spotting wildlife with children, try the Wildlife Spotting Area loop.

Most parks and country parks in the borough, such as Beam Valley Country Park, are welcoming to dogs. However, when walking in nature reserves like The Chase, it's important to keep dogs under control or on a lead, as these areas are home to sensitive wildlife and grazing animals.

The borough has several excellent green spaces for hiking. Eastbrookend Country Park is a local favourite, known for its mix of lakes, meadows, and woodlands. For a more rustic experience with a focus on birdwatching, The Chase Nature Reserve is a top choice. Beam Valley Country Park offers trails that follow the River Beam and even feature some historical WWII structures.

Absolutely. Many trails in the area are designed as loops, making them convenient for walkers. A great example is the St. Mary's Church Tower loop from Barking, which provides a pleasant walk through local green spaces without needing to backtrack.

Many of the main parks and trailheads are accessible via public transport. For example, Eastbrookend Country Park and The Chase Nature Reserve are served by bus routes stopping nearby. Dagenham East station (District Line) is also a useful starting point for accessing the Dagenham Corridor green spaces.

For a walk that combines nature with history, explore Beam Valley Country Park where you can find remnants from World War II, including tank traps and pillboxes. The Royal Arsenal Cannons loop from Crossness Nature Reserve also takes you through an area rich with military and industrial heritage along the Thames.

Yes, two notable long-distance trails cross the area. The London Loop (sections 23 and 24) passes through, connecting Hainault Forest with the River Thames. Additionally, the Thames Path runs along the southern edge of the borough, offering extensive riverside walking opportunities. A challenging route that explores part of this is the Thames Barrier – Quantum Cloud Sculpture loop.

The nature reserves are hotspots for wildlife, especially birds. The Chase Nature Reserve is home to over 200 bird species, including kingfishers, skylarks, and lapwings. In the various parks and along the rivers, you can also spot squirrels, rabbits, and if you're patient, water voles.

The region offers plenty of scenic waterside walks. You can follow paths along the River Thames or the River Beam. For a route that combines river views with parkland, consider the View of the River – Wooden Bridge Over the Stream loop from Romford, which explores the area around the River Rom.

There are over 700 hiking routes to explore in and around the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The vast majority are easy or moderate, making the area very accessible for most fitness levels.

The trails around Barking and Dagenham are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Hikers often praise the surprising amount of green space, the well-maintained park paths, and the peaceful atmosphere of the nature reserves.

Many of the main paths in the larger managed parks, like Eastbrookend Country Park, are paved or have a hard, level surface, making them suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The area around the Eastbrookend Discovery Centre is particularly accessible. Trails in nature reserves like The Chase are often unsurfaced and may be more challenging.