Best walks to or from Woolwich Arsenal

Woolwich Arsenal Station to Abbey Wood Station

Around 40% off-road, using quiet residential roads and The Ridgeway, a raised green walking and cycle route, with a section through new developments. A big set of steep steps has adjacent slopes for wheels and an uneven gravel path. Optional detour to the old Royal Arsenal buildings, Arts Centre or Antony Gormley riverside sculptures. The Ridgeway has anti-motorbike width restrictions at both entrances; the eastern entrance has a ramp as well as stairs. Well connected by the Elizabeth line at each end.

Easy: 5km, flat terrain.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Eltham Station to Woolwich Arsenal Station

particularly amazing views across south London, Kent and Essex. A green walk over the top of Shooters Hill, one of London's tallest points, through shady ancient woodlands and meadows, using the well-signposted Green Chain Walk. Muddy sections even into summer and with multiple steep bits and banked-earth steps. Uses the Green Chain Walk over Shooters Hill. Shepherdleas Wood has beautiful bluebells; best views from Oxleas Meadow, Eaglesfield Park and Shrewsbury Park. Easy detours to Severndroog Castle and Eltham Palace. A few buses on Rochester Way, Shooters Hill or Plumstead Common Road.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

Steep in places and muddy when wet; multiple steep sections and steps.

Lunch: A great café at the top of Oxleas Meadow with a public toilet, plus several shops along the way; coffee at Severndroog Castle.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blackheath Station to Woolwich Arsenal Station

An urban yet peaceful route that avoids busy roads and is very green, crossing the large open spaces of Blackheath, Woolwich Common and Hornfair Park, plus a narrow fenced path and quiet residential streets. It cuts across grassy areas where desire-line paths may be invisible at times and with some hills and rough grass; no barriers or steps. Some sections get muddy. Blackheath Common is lined with attractive buildings including The Paragon and Morden College (thought to be designed by Christopher Wren). Woolwich Common is a mix of scrubland and acid grassland with good flora. Follows the Green Chain Walk between Hornfair Park and Woolwich Common.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Cuts across large grassy areas (Hornfair Park, northern Woolwich Common) where the path may be invisible at times of year - head for the landmarks. Hornfair Park is locked at night and mostly unlit; Woolwich Common is also unlit. Some muddy patches across the fields.

Lunch: A small parade of shops, a cafe and chippy where the route crosses Shooters Hill Road, plus a cafe in the Hornfair Park leisure centre.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Cutty Sark for Maritime [Greenwich Station](/train-stations/south-east-england/kent/cutty-sark-for-maritime-greenwich) to Woolwich Arsenal Station

A hilly urban walk climbing a high, steep ridge, largely along busy or very busy roads with a few cobbled crossovers. There is a long but gentle climb on the Woolwich side and a moderately steep section through Greenwich Park and plus the unpaved Ha Ha path beside Woolwich Common (a parallel tarmac path exists).

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Mostly along busy or very busy roads. Greenwich Park is unlit and locked promptly at night.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route