Transport for LondonWalk your way to fitness the easy way
Did you know that more than 100 Tube journeys in central London are actually faster to walk?
For example, you can get from Farringdon to Temple station (by the Thames) on foot in just 13 minutes.
So, if your mental map of London is based on the Tube map, why not start exploring London at street-level?
By taking simple steps, such as getting off public transport a stop or two earlier and exploring different routes to work, you could discover a new place to get your lunch or find a hidden part of London.
Millions of walking journeys are made in the capital every day.
To help get you started, join a free guided walking tour during the weekend of January 30-31 - part of the Winter Wanders campaign run by Walk London.
Funded by Transport for London (TfL), the organisation works with local authorities to develop a network of walking routes around the capital.
Go to www.walklondon.org.uk to find out more.
On the path to better walking routes
Mayor of London Boris Johnson and TfL are committed to making London a walking-friendly city.
Work is already under way, including:
Legible London - A comprehensive pedestrian navigation system to help people find their way on foot.
The scheme was launched in November 2007 in the Bond Street area and has recently been expanded to ukRichmond and Twickenham, South Bank and Bankside, and the area between Bloomsbury, Covent Garden and Holborn.
Travel tools - A range of tools to help you get around London; from free mobile travel alerts to night bus routes and cab numbers to get you home.
Walking Journey Planner - tfl.gov.uk/walkingjourneyplanner gives you a printable map of a route and the estimated time it will take to walk to your destination.
Six strategic walking routes - Covering 362 miles, these routes have been established by Walk London and TfL.
Try one as part of your daily commute or an energising lunchtime walk, are any of the following near you?
- Capital Ring - A surprisingly green walking route that encircles central London. It connects parks and open spaces and is 78 miles long
- Green Chain - An extensive network providing many days of walking through woodland and open spaces
- Jubilee Greenway - A path for walkers and cyclists, linking the London Olympic and Paralympic Games venues with some of the capital's best attractions, heritage sites, parks, waterways and views
- Lea Valley Walk - Highlights include the Swan and Pike Pool near Enfield Lock and two colourful marinas at Waltham Abbey and Springfield
- London Loop - Almost completely encircles Greater London and covers a distance of around 150 miles
- Thames Path - On this route you are likely to see rowing in all its forms, canoeing, sailing, trip boats, tugs, barges, narrowboats, houseboats, marinas and boatyards
For full details of these walks and more, go to tfl.gov.uk/walking
