8km Olympic Stratford London Walk

London 2012 Olympic Rings, Olympic Park

8km Olympic Stratford London Walk

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Route overview of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

Route overview

Our route starts on the Greenway at High Street.

The Greenway has been newly renovated in 2019. In 2022, the Greenway was chosen as one of the projects and recipients of the “Rewild London Fund” to encourage more native flora and fauna.

London Greenway

London Greenway. Credit: Gordon Joly

Turn right to walk along the Water Works River and continue straight. After going under the railway bridge and passing the Iron Bridge, pass the Arcelor Mittal Orbit, London Stadium, Olympic Bell, and Olympic Park Splash Fountain, which are all on your left. Feel free to detour and grab a snapshot of each of these sites.

Part 1 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk up Greenway past the London Stadium, Acelor Mittal Orbit, and Olympic Bell

Part 1 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

Where the rivers meet just past the London Stadium under several bridges, continue over the bridge (Carpenter’s Road Lock) to go straight. Follow the curves to the right closest to the river to go under another bridge (Marshgate Lane) to turn right and continue straight along Carpenter’s Road.

Part 2 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk on Carpenter's Road

Part 2 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

Carpenter’s Road becomes White Post Lane. At Rothbury Road, turn right towards Hackney Wick Station.

Part 3 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk to Hackney Wick Station

Part 3 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

If you enjoy admiring architecture, Hackney Wick Station is something to marvel at. Although the outside might not look like much, inside, there is a refractive light glass wall, industrial influences in the textures on the walls and floors, and geometric design choices in the stairs. It’s easy to see why this station has won multiple awards.

Hackney Wick Station

Hackney Wick Station. Credit: Simon

Exiting the station, turn right to continue on White Post Lane. Turn right onto Hepscott Road and continue straight on Wallis Road, then turn right to stay on Wallis Road.

Part 4 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk from Hackney Wick Station past Copper Box Arena

Part 4 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

Continue straight up the stairs and over the bridge. Turn right and go down the three flights of stairs (or the pathways around the stairs) on your left to turn right onto Capital Ring. Follow Capital Ring for roughly 1km until you reach Nature’s Throne on your right.

Part 5 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk onto Capital Ring

Part 5 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

After going under the 6th bridge, turn right to get onto the pathway just next to Capital Ring. At the third split in the road, keep left towards Nature’s Throne.

Part 6 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk from Capital Ring to Nature's Throne

Part 6 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

Nature’s Throne is part of what’s locally referred to as “mini Stonehenge” or Hackney Henge. Designed by Paula Haughney using stones already on the site, it does not have a mystical background but somehow carries a magical energy. Nature’s Throne is usually rather quiet, with little foot traffic. So, it’s a great spot to take in the area’s peacefulness.

Nature's Throne

Nature’s Throne. Credit: Wikipedia

Follow the pathway away from Nature’s Throne to turn left towards the stream, then right to continue along the stream (so that the stream runs on your left). Follow this path for about 2km, passing the Hackney Marshes until you reach the main road.

Part 7 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk from Nature's Throne

Part 7 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

Hackney Marshes may look like an open field where people come to play and walk around, but underneath is a layer of damaged building rubble from WWII, which raised the ground level when it was dumped. Hackney Marshes forms part of Olympic Park despite much controversy over loss of biodiversity during and after construction.

Hackney Marshes

Hackney Marshes. Credit: Ulrich Zink

As you reach the main road, turn left then right to cross over at the pedestrian crossings to reach the pathway again that runs along the stream and under the bridge.

Part 8 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk over the intersection

Part 8 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

Go under four more bridges.

Part 9 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk towards Middlesex Way

Part 9 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

Turn right onto Middlesex Way, then left to go over Knight’s Bridge and right onto Eton Manor Walk towards the Olympic Rings and London Blossom Garden.

Part 10 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk towards Middlesex Way, over Knight's Bridge towards the 2012 Olympic Rings and Blossom Garden

Part 10 of the 8km Olympic Stratford Walk

London 2012 Olympic Rings, Olympic Park

London 2012 Olympic Rings. Credit: Alistair Ross

London Blossom Garden within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park serves to remember and honour those lost during the Coronavirus pandemic and the frontline workers who served during this time. The Garden contains 33 blossom trees, including hawthorn, cherry, cherry plum, and crab apple blossom. These gardens are perfect for a little picnic and wander around.

London Blossom Garden, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

London Blossom Garden, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

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If you enjoyed this walk, check out our Primrose Hill and Camden Locks Walk.

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