Along the canals - Camden to Limehouse Basin
A moderate walk (canal) starting and finishing in City of London, England, about 9.80km (6.09 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 2:45h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
18m (59ft)
Descent
42m (137ft)
Max. Elevation
50m (164ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
60m (196ft)
Start
Camden Town
End
Limehouse Station
Distance
9.80km
(6.09mi)
(6.09mi)
Duration
~2:45h
Difficulty
Moderate
Ordnance Survey Maps
Those tourists queueing up for the open-top buses have got it wrong - London has endless potential for interesting walks, and you see much more of the city on foot. This walk, along the canal paths of the Regent's Canal and the Grand Union Canal, takes you through some of East London's most fascinating districts. There must also be more houseboats here than in Amsterdam! As with many London walks, a good A-Z may be more useful than an Ordnance Survey map.
Walk Functions
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- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid TQ289839
Start at Camden Town. From the tube station, head along Camden Road to join the GU Canal. At the canal, head east.
OS Grid TQ298836
If you have only ever seen St Pancras from the inside, deviate for ten minutes away from the canal to admire the red-brick structure - surely London's finest station.
About 0.94 km (~0.58 miles) from 
OS Grid TQ303835
The canal disappears just behind King's Cross Station, and this is where your A-Z comes in handy. Follow the streets heading eastwards for a little.
About 0.55 km (~0.34 miles) from 
OS Grid TQ312832
Pass through Chapel Market on your way through Islington - a traditional London street market. Pick up something tasty for later in the day.
About 0.93 km (~0.58 miles) from 
OS Grid TQ316832
Rejoin the canal at Noel Road. At the time of writing, the authorities had closed off sections of the canal path for repairs - but hopefully it will all be open again soon.
About 0.44 km (~0.27 miles) from 
OS Grid TQ322833
Once you are on the canal path, the going is straightforward - keep the water on your right! There's plenty of interesting buildings, many old storehouses, along the canal. Some are now flats, but others still bear the old advertising signs of years ago.
About 0.62 km (~0.39 miles) from 
OS Grid TQ339836
The canal heads further east into Hackney.
About 1.69 km (~1.05 miles) from 
OS Grid TQ351835
Beyond Hackney, the canal runs alongside several parks, making it even more pleasant - water on one side, green space the other. Who would of thought a city of 8 million people could be so scenic?
About 1.22 km (~0.76 miles) from 
OS Grid TQ361825
Next along the way is Mile End Park, on the edge of Tower Hamlets.
About 1.39 km (~0.86 miles) from 
OS Grid TQ363818
As you head through Tower Hamlets, the imposing sight of the Canary Wharf tower comes into view.
About 0.77 km (~0.48 miles) from 
Limehouse BasinOS Grid TQ363810
Finish your walk at Limehouse Basin, just north of the Thames. There are cafes and pubs around the harbour if you need some sustenance. The station is five minutes away.
About 0.75 km (~0.47 miles) from 
2 comments... join the discussion!
Denise
Wonderful walk and on my birthday too!!! BUT the tunnel at Islington can lose you completely. When you come out by the tunnel entrance on your way to Limehouse you are looking for Duncan Road/street and this then leads back to the canal but there was an iffy patch where nobody knew where the canal was and we were wandering around the back of Sainsburys and Marks'!!! Being used a lot and hundreds of bikes!! Loads of goslings and cuteness!!
Denise
we will be doing this today!!! thank you