CONTACTNine Elms is considered one of the up-and-coming London neighbourhoods. In fact, you can find lots of hidden gems in Nine Elms around every corner of its lively streets. Part of the wider Wandsworth Borough, there truly is something for everyone; including vast green spaces for fun outdoor activities, time with your pets and running routes.
But where are the best places to go running around Nine Elms? With routes for everyone, whether you’re stuck for time or working on your distance, we’ve found the best running routes with greenery and riverside views, that make you both forget and appreciate the metropolis that is London.
Wandsworth Park Circular is a gentle, yet popular trail for running and walking, south-west of Nine Elms. Estimated to only take 10 minutes to run, this 1.4km route is perfect for when you’re just getting into running or want to start your day with a run, without taking too much time from it. The best times to visit this trail are between December and October - perfect for spring and summer runs.
Battersea Park Inner Circular is considered an easy route, right on Nine Elms’ doorstep. Estimated to take just 20 minutes to run, this 2.6km trail is popular for birding, walking and running for both those in the Battersea/Nine Elms area and those further afield. This route is best to be avoided during November and December.
Go beyond just Battersea Park and join the Battersea Park and River Thames Circular trail. This 3.9km route takes just 25 minutes to run - perfect for an after-work jog - and is popular for mountain and road biking, as well as running. Expect this trail to be beautiful all year round, and even feel free to bring your fur baby along for a run too, with ample areas for off-lead exploration.
Instead of running along the Thames, jog across Albert Bridge and expand your route on the Battersea Park and Chelsea trail. Popular for bird-watching, fishing and those going on a city-centre hike, this 5.8km route takes just 40 minutes to run. A beautiful trail to run all year round, so be ready to experience the seasons on a route just out of Nine Elms.
South-west of Nine Elms, you can find another 5.8km running route on the Putney Bridge and Wandsworth Bridge Circular. This route takes you through Wandsworth Park, along and across the Thames and over through Hurlington Park - areas popular for city-centre hiking, mountain biking and even paddle sports. Open all year round, this route is even dog-friendly for fur babies running alongside you on a lead.
For a route right on Nine Elms’ doorstep, find the Vauxhall - Battersea Park trail. With a 7.9km distance, this route takes roughly 55 minutes to run and is considered to be one of the easier trails in the area. Great for hiking, walking and running, the best time to explore this trail is between January and November, as December can be a bit too wet and icy.
If you liked Putney Bridge and Wandsworth Circular, but want a more challenging trail, we recommend the 10.8km Wandsworth Bridge and Putney Circular. South-west of Nine Elms, this route takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to complete and is popular with both walkers and runners alike. Beautiful all year round, you can even bring your fur babies along on a lead for this running route.
Just south of Battersea, you can find another 10.8km route from Clapham Junction to Tooting Bec Common. Popular with mountain bikers, road cyclists and runners, this trail cuts through Wandsworth Common and Balham, providing the perfect combination of nature and London neighbourhood living. Open all year round, dogs are welcome on this route but must remain on leads.
Starting on Nine Elms’ doorstep in Battersea Park, this 13.5km running route takes you from Battersea Park to Wandsworth Common in around 1 hour and 35 minutes. Popular for mountain biking, road biking and running, this trail is a perfect way to work out and explore green spaces across Wandsworth Borough. A unique route open all year round, perfect for solo runs or bringing your dog along too (on a lead).
For a circular trail that takes you all over, including past The London Wetland Centre, the 14km Wandsworth Bridge, Putney and Barnes Circular may be the one for you. South-west of Nine Elms, this route is estimated to take around 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete and is popular for running, hiking and walking. The best times to visit this trail are between January and October, especially when running.
Back in Wandsworth, head south on the Wandsworth Common to Wandle Meadow Nature Park route. A challenging 16.7km trail, this route is popular for mountain biking, road biking, as well as running, which takes around 2 hours to complete. This trail is open all year round and beautiful to visit at any time, even with dogs on leads.
For the ultimate route starting in the Wandsworth Borough, look no further than the 19.8km Wandle Trail. Taking you from Wandsworth’s The Slip, all the way to Croydon’s Wandle Park, this year-round route can take around 2 hours and 20 minutes to run. Popular all around, nothing says exploring south-west London like this route.
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