LCC Nature Walks: THE GREENWAY [East London]

Hello path-beaters and foot-padders! Once again it's that time again: Spring is in the air, or at least it will be (have been?) by the time we touch down in east London for another big step down The Greenway on April 12th, 2026.

It was with this hidden gem of an urban nature trail that we kicked off last year's smash-hit nature walking series. Longtime LCC-ers will remember that we didn't actually get very far down the Greenway, thanks to the torturous interference of some no-good developers who put a big fence and a "GREENWAY CLOSED" sign in our way. We diverted and had a lovely hike anyway, but this time we'll be ready.

The Greenway was once known as the Northern Outfall Sewer, a raised sewer line designed to whisk away the industrial filth of London during the height of the Industrial Revolution. At the start of the 20th century, it was sealed up and turned into a linear park for the enjoyment of working-class east London, over which it passes today - from Fish Island all the way over East Ham and on down to Silvertown and the end of the Woolwich Peninsula. We'll try to cover the whole distance, for a walk of about 3-3.5 hours.

The weather should be alright - who can say - but do bring a wind layer and possibly some protection from light rains. Good walking shoes and boots are handy, but this trail shouldn't have much or any mud, since it's paved in quite a few places. A snack or lunch is worth bringing too, but we'll aim for a pub at the end somewhere.

There are bathroom facilities at Hackney Wick, our starting point, as well as at a couple cafes at situated on the eastern end of the route.

Along the way we'll see gorgeous views of the River Lea with its branches, canal sections and forests as well as the Olympic parklands of Hackney and Stratford. To top that off, we'll have a near birds-eye view of the changing human landscape with all the big fuck-off construction sites of Bow Goods Yard, Sweetwater, Pudding Mill etc - a veritable tour of the gentrification process as it rolls on in east London! Natural beauty and political-economic field research - a winning combination, so do join us. Take care and see you on the trail!