Best walks to or from Bromley South

Bromley South Station to Eltham Station

great views, history all around; amazing London views. An amazingly green walk through the woodlands and green spaces of south-east London, with suburban roads at intervals. Mostly off-road and varied underfoot; lots of stairs over rail lines and narrow points and cycle barriers. Paths in places (such as Elmstead Woods) are not always clear. Follows King John's Walk and the Green Chain Walk network through south-east London.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

Crossing the busy-ish Plaistow Lane near Sundridge Park has no visible crossing point or lights. Numerous footbridges with steps.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bromley South Station to Orpington Station

A low-traffic, green and scenic suburban route linked by quiet residential roads, with much of the middle a substantial traffic-free section through recreation grounds and the lovely Sparrow Wood and Crofton Wood and plus a railway footbridge with views of Orpington station. The woods can be muddy in winter; steep steps in places.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

Steep steps near Orpington station and at the railway footbridge make it not the most accessible route. Crofton Wood has serpentine, poorly-mapped paths and no phone signal under the canopy. One busy road crossing with good crossing points. Can be muddy.

Lunch stop: the Chequers Inn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Elmers End Station to Bromley South Station

A quieter route using three green spaces and leafy residential roads, with a few short sections along busier roads, a short steep stretch down Kingswood Road and a railway footbridge with several dozen steps. Some woodland paths can be muddy; steps and grass. Passes Harvington Woods, Queensmead Recreation Ground and Glassmill Ponds, and the Grade II listed former pagoda-style petrol station (now a Tesco Express); public toilets in Kelsey Park.

Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.

Lunch: A few shops on Wickham Road; the Glades shopping centre at Bromley.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Beckenham Junction Station to Bromley South Station

A pleasant suburban walk along mainly quiet, well-heeled residential roads, partly along a chain of small parks following the River Ravensbourne. Some unadopted roads with rough surfaces and potholes and one section is even unsurfaced dirt; a moderately steep stretch with views around The Avenue. Follows the River Ravensbourne through Queensmead Recreation Ground and a chain of small parks.

Easy: 3km, moderate ascents.

Crossing the A222 near Shortlands Station is problematic; use the zebra crossing a few hundred metres east.

Lunch: Shops, a cafe and a chip shop near Shortlands Station mid-route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Catford Station to Bromley South Station

An urban route with a lot of off-road walking through parks and along a riverside walk and mixed with suburban streets. Includes long steep hills (up to 17%) in places and some busy roads without controlled crossings. Follows the Capital Ring through Beckenham Place Park, where the route mapping is poor and the orange Capital Ring signs are more reliable.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

Some busy roads are encountered without regulated pedestrian crossings.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route