The Potters Bar route heads north through Hampstead Heath, makes the steep climb up Swains Lane in Highgate, over Muswell Hill and Alexandra Palace before heading out into the woods and farmland around Potters Bar.
Starting Point: Espresso Bar, Regent’s Park.
Suggested Café: Cafe In The Orchard, Shenley (55km).
This route heads up past the lakes and marshes of the Lee Valley before looping back down through Epping Forest.
The route up the valley passes the Walthamstow Wetlands, Waltham Abbey, Lee Valley Country Park and the River Lee Navigation canal. The return leg heads first out into open farmland before heading right through the heart of Epping Forest before back into London.
Starting point: Café Society by Vauxhall Bridge.
Suggested café stop: Boathouse Café Bar, Roydon Marina (42km).
The gravel edition of the Chiddingstone & Hever Loop is similar to the road version, but has some time off road in the woods between Toys Hill and Ide Hill. Going off road also allows for a close view of Chiddingstone Castle before the picturesque loop continues around past Hever and up over Toys Hill. This is a lumpy route with some steep climbs – notably Toys and Hogtrough Hill.
Starting point: Gail’s Bakery, Clapham Old Town.
Suggested café stop: Tulip Café, Chiddingstone (51km)
This route broadly mirrors the Knatt’s Valley in the Kent section but spends more time off the tarmac, using the parks to get in and out of London. Highlights of this route through Kent include a close pass of Chevening and Eynsford. This is quite a hilly route with some punchy climbs.
Starting point: Gails Bakery, Clapham Old Town.
Suggested café stop: Lullingstone Park visitors centre (60 km)
The route broadly mirrors the Frensham Pond Loop route in the Surrey Hills section but this time favours off-road tracks, exploring more of the heathland and Frensham Common itself in the south-western corner of Surrey.
Starting point: Dish Café, East Molesey.
Suggested café: Frensham Great Pond Snack Bar (59 km)
The long off-road route to Brighton involves two sizeable climbs, the first being St. Martha’s Hill near Guildford and the second being a steep climb up over the top of Ditchling Beacon.
Starting point: Roehampton Café, Richmond Park.