Olympic Park, Hackney Wick and Fish Island Short Walk

Videos

• 
  Discovering the Hidden Gems of the Olympic Park: A 4K Visual Tour of London's Waterways, Wetlands

  Hiking In London, Jul-22

  Join us on a thrilling hike through London's Olympic Park and discover the hidden gems that lie within this urban landscape. This tour will take you through the park's waterways, wetlands, and former industrial areas, and give you a chance to witness the unique blend of nature and technology that defines this area. Our 4K visuals will bring to life the stunning beauty of this urban oasis, showcasing the vibrant colors and intricate designs that make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. So, put on your hiking boots and get ready for a one-of-a-kind adventure that is sure to leave you in awe!

  #OlympicPark #Waterways #Wetlands #IndustrialAreas #LondonWalk #HikingUK #AdventureTravel #4KVisuals #UrbanLandscape #NatureTourism.

  The Olympic Park, waterways, wetlands, and former industrial areas. Dogs can use this trail as well, but must be on a leash.

  Distance:8.5 km (5.3 mi)

  Grading: Easy

  Rating: 1 out of 10

  Ascent: 300ft (100 m)

  Hiking time: About 3.5 to 4.5 hours of actual hiking

  TRAVEL

  Stratford Station is served by Main Line Services from Liverpool Street, by the DLR and by the Central and Jubilee Lines, and is also a terminus for the Overground to Richmond via Highbury & Islington.

  This walk follows a meandering route through Stratford City, a development preceding the idea of London applying to hold the Olympic Games, and including the very large Westfield Shopping Centre, as well as through the neighbouring Olympic Park and past its surviving Olympic venues, one of the largest urban parks created in Western Europe for more than 150 years, and designed to enrich and preserve the local environment, by restoring wetland habitats and planting native species of plants along the River Lea and the Bow Backwaters. It is still a work in progress, in its continued transition from sports venue to public park, with many new neighbourhoods and amenities added since the 2012 Games.

  This is combined with a detour through parts of the adjacent former industrial areas now famous for artists’ spaces and independent micro-businesses, but undergoing speedy regeneration: Hackney Wick (South) and Fish Island. These areas are still noticeably shaped by their former mix of (often polluting) industries in this complicated space, dominated by railways, canals, locks, river arms, channels, flood plains.

  In the park itself there are lots of changes of level to introduce the many diverse areas: in the South Park the feel is quite urban, as you are surrounded by sport events’ structures, lots of trees and wide promenades, all landscaped to look quite formal, almost Continental; while the North Park is wilder, landscaped to look – within the limits of the site – like an English Country Park, including some wetlands, meadows, ponds and flood plains, all designed to create a haven for plants and wildlife. Generally, plantings are deliberately left semi-wild/informal for cost and aesthetic reasons.

  In total there are 6.5 km of waterways in the park, most of which are walked along or crossed at least once. This is also the first Olympic Park to integrate artworks into the landscape right from the start, and the route passes some of the 26 permanent ones.

  The stretch through Hackney Wick and Fish Island exposes the contrast of corporate and alternative visions of how the area should develop. Hackney Wick, where plastics were invented, the term petrol was coined, dry cleaning was introduced to Britain, all due to the vicinity of efficient waterways and railways, where the former high rise Trowbridge Estate has long been blown up to make way for the current crop of artists and independent businesses, who are a world apart from the original indigenous population and Fish Island, where more of the former industrial premises have already been transformed to apartment buildings.

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  © Club Hiking in London. Ltd (CASC) in collaboration with Saturday Walkers Club.

  #hikinginlondon #londonwalk #olympicpark

• 
  Explore Lee Valley: Top Hiking Trails Near London | UK Walking Tours 🇬🇧

  Hiking In London, Jun-16

  Welcome to Lee Valley - an unparalleled hiking destination just outside of London. In this video, we'll take you through the best hiking areas, showcasing the park's diverse wildlife, fascinating history, and stunning views. Whether you're looking for a challenging trek or a leisurely stroll, Lee Valley has it all. So grab your hiking boots, pack your binoculars and join us on this unforgettable walking tour through one of England's most beautiful natural landscapes. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more UK walking tours! #LeeValleyHiking #LondonWalks #UKHiking

  This walk is covered by our Club's insurance. Our Club is registered on The British Mountaineering Council (BMC)

  © Club Hiking in London. Ltd (CASC) in collaboration with Saturday Walkers Club.

  swcwalks short27