wellness
Croydon Residents Discover 5 Walking Trails Ranked by Difficulty Level
Residents can choose routes across local green spaces that match varying fitness levels and time commitments.
How we reported this
Croydon Council released updated maps this week that rank five local walking trails by total distance and elevation gain, giving residents clear options for daily exercise without leaving the borough.
Interest in these routes has grown since the start of summer, when many people shifted routines toward outdoor activity after months of indoor focus amid concerns over rising living costs and limited access to paid gyms in central Croydon.
Lloyd Park in South Croydon features a 3.2-kilometre loop that the council rates as moderate, with gentle slopes and benches at regular intervals, while the longer path through Selsdon Wood on the southern edge stretches 6.8 kilometres and includes steeper sections near the old quarry site.
Routes matched to different abilities
The shorter Lloyd Park circuit begins at the entrance on Coombe Road and circles the playing fields before returning through wooded areas, finishing near the café that opens at 8am daily. Selsdon Wood’s trail starts at the car park on Old Farleigh Road and passes through ancient woodland, crossing into the neighbouring borough briefly before looping back, with waymarkers installed by the Friends of Selsdon Wood group last autumn.
Croydon’s active travel team recorded 12,400 users across the two sites in May 2026, according to figures released at the end of last month, and noted that 40 percent of walkers chose routes under four kilometres.
Practical steps before heading out
Walkers should download the free Croydon Parks app for offline maps and check weather updates from the Met Office before starting, especially on the longer Selsdon route where mobile signal drops in the lower sections. Those new to the trails can join the weekly Wednesday morning group led by the borough’s health improvement team, which meets at 9:30am at the Lloyd Park café and covers the moderate loop at a steady pace.
Trail surfaces remain firm after recent dry weather, though the council advises sturdy shoes for the Selsdon incline and reminds participants to carry water on days above 20 degrees.