Walking groups and routes near East London & Essex
Explore group walking ideas around East London and Essex. Check the route length and travel connections, then look for people who enjoy your kind of walk.
Start your search around Stratford, or choose another town in this area on the search page.
Your pace. Your kind of walking company.
Check a group’s usual walking day, pace and distance before asking to join. For a weekend walk, choose Saturday or Sunday in the group search. Group bases and the places they walk can be different, so try the Walks search too.
Look for group walks near StratfordWhich route would your group enjoy?
These are route ideas from published sources, not scheduled NextRamble outings. Distances are approximate. Check the original provider’s directions, current access and facilities before using a route, especially if anyone has specific access needs.
Epping and Theydon Bois circular walk
Epping and Theydon Bois, Epping Forest district, Essex
An Essex County Council circular walk from Epping Underground station over fields, a golf course and woodland edges to Theydon Bois village, returning to Epping.
7.8 km / 4.8 milesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Paved or tarmac paths
- Steps
- Stiles
- Gates or kissing gates
- Road walking or road crossings
- Hills and effort
- Gentle hills
- Facilities and rest stops
- Café
- Pub
- Bus stop near the start
- Rail station near the start
View the provider’s route for Epping and Theydon Bois circular walk, opens a new tabSources and what to check
No notice on the publisher page on 27 October 2026; no separate rights-of-way closure source was checked.
Route facts from Essex County Council (Essex Highways).
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Hatfield Forest and Flitch Way walk
Hatfield Forest, Takeley, near Bishop's Stortford, Essex
A flat circular family walk from the main Hatfield Forest car park, combining forest rides with a stretch of the Flitch Way, a former railway line, and returning via the lake.
5.6 km / 3.5 milesAbout 120 minutesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Muddy or soft ground
- Uneven ground or tree roots
- Gates or kissing gates
- Hills and effort
- Mostly level
- Facilities and rest stops
- Public toilets
- Accessible toilets
- Café
- Car parking
- Bus stop near the start
View the provider’s route for Hatfield Forest and Flitch Way walk, opens a new tabSources and what to check
No closure found on 27 October 2026, but sections may close to rest the ground. Car parks last entry 15:30; Elgins car park shown closed. Parking 9 GBP for non-members.
Route facts from the National Trust Hatfield Forest pages. (c) National Trust.
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Hatfield Forest walk
Hatfield Forest, Takeley, near Bishop's Stortford, Essex
A short circular National Trust walk from the Shell House by the lake into the medieval royal hunting forest at Hatfield Forest and back to the lake.
2.7 km / 1.7 milesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Muddy or soft ground
- Gates or kissing gates
- Hills and effort
- Not checked yet
- Facilities and rest stops
- Public toilets
- Accessible toilets
- Café
- Car parking
- Bus stop near the start
View the provider’s route for Hatfield Forest walk, opens a new tabSources and what to check
Forest open dawn to dusk; car parks last entry 15:30 and Elgins car park shown closed on 22 October 2026. Parking 9 GBP for non-members. Muddy in winter; NT recommends April to October.
Route facts from the National Trust Hatfield Forest pages. (c) National Trust.
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
London LOOP section 23: Upminster Bridge to Rainham
Upminster Bridge to Rainham, London Borough of Havering
A linear section of the London Outer Orbital Path following the Ingrebourne River valley from Upminster Bridge to Rainham village, passing the Ingrebourne Valley visitor centre and ending near Rainham Hall.
6.4 km / 4 milesLinear route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Not checked yet
- Hills and effort
- Not checked yet
- Facilities and rest stops
- Café
- Bus stop near the start
- Rail station near the start
View the provider’s route for London LOOP section 23: Upminster Bridge to Rainham, opens a new tabSources and what to check
No closure or diversion found on the National Trust or TfL pages on 27 October 2026; no section-specific diversion source was available.
Route facts from the National Trust and Transport for London. Station coordinates from Wikipedia.
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
London LOOP section 24: Rainham to Purfleet
Rainham, London Borough of Havering, to Purfleet-on-Thames, Thurrock, Essex
The final linear section of the London Outer Orbital Path, from Rainham station across the Thames-side marshes to Purfleet-on-Thames station in Thurrock.
8.2 km / 5.1 milesLinear route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Not checked yet
- Hills and effort
- Not checked yet
- Facilities and rest stops
- Rail station near the start
View the provider’s route for London LOOP section 24: Rainham to Purfleet, opens a new tabSources and what to check
No closure or diversion on the Thurrock or TfL pages on 27 October 2026.
Route facts from Thurrock Council and Transport for London. Station coordinates from Wikipedia.
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
How do you turn an idea into a group walk?
- Find a group, or create one for people you already know.
- Start a vote and choose from the researched route ideas, reuse a previous route or suggest your own.
- Check the details, add your date and meeting point, then let the group compare and vote.
The route, current conditions and each walker’s requirements need checking by the organisers. A facility label is useful information, rather than a guarantee that a route suits everyone.
New to walking with a group?
Can I look for walking groups near me?
Yes. Search using your town or full UK postcode, then compare a group’s usual pace, distance and walking day. You can browse public groups without signing in, and create an account when you want to ask to join.
Do I need an existing walking group?
No. Look for a group in your area, or bring friends and neighbours together in a new one. NextRamble helps you compare ideas and vote on your next walk, alongside the conversations you already have elsewhere.
Are there gentle walks as well as longer rambles?
Look at distance, terrain, hills and facilities together. A short route can still have steps or uneven ground. Ask the organisers about anything you need to know before agreeing to join a walk.