Marshes, History & Hidden Woods

Ride Level: Green - Easy

Gravel/CX MTB | GPX Route & Ride Guide | Gravel, Single Track and minor roads  | 36 km / 22 miles 

Discover London’s wild eastern edge with this 27 km gravel adventure from Rainham to Harold Wood. The route follows peaceful riverside paths, open marshland, and quiet woodland trails — connecting some of the area’s most fascinating sites, from the Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve and concrete barges to Upminster Windmill and Pages Wood.

Your download includes:

• A GPX route file ready for Komoot, Garmin, or Wahoo

• A detailed illustrated ride guide, packed with stories, local history, and direct links to featured sites along the way

Part of the Boundary Rides series — easy, train-accessible gravel adventures exploring the outer edges of London through nature, history, and hidden beauty.

What are Boundary Rides 

A series of easy-going adventures exploring the edge of London, one gravel path at a time. Each route covers 20 to 40 kilometres, starting and finishing at railway stations within TfL’s Zone 6, and each one links together the hidden corners, green spaces, and unexpected stories that make London’s outer limits so fascinating. 

Start and End Points 

Start: Rainham Station 

Finish: Harold Wood 

Ride Details 

• Distance: 36 km | 22 miles
• Climb: 250 m | 700 ft 
• Percentage off-road: 70%
• Trail surface: Gravel | Cycle Paths | Single Track | Minor Roads
• Technical Grade: Green  - Easy
• Mudometer - Good - largely on all weather gravel paths 

Is this ride for me? 

Easy (20-40 km)

Expect a gentle ride ridden at an easy pace.

With few or no hills on well-maintained gravel paths, bike lanes and shared-use paths. these rides are suitable for riders who can pedal for about an hour without stopping.

Suitable for all bikes, including hybrids, folding bikes, MTB, gravel, road bikes and e-bikes.

Read more about our grades here

Is my bike OK for this ride? 

The route is best completed on the gravel/CX bike or a mountain bike.