If it’s inspiration you’re looking for whilst walking your dog, look no further than London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Stroll in the footsteps of record-breaking athletes like Usain Bolt, peek in at the Velodrome where British cycling heroes Jason Kenny and Laura Trott claimed gold after gold and enjoy the sweeping views and winding canal paths.
Its Olympian days behind it, the stadium is now home to none other than East London’s own West Ham Football Club – if you’re venturing nearby you’ll know when a match is on as you’ll hear the roars of the crowd from miles away! It can get very, very busy on match days, though – so if you’re considering taking a stroll or a jog with your athletically aspiring pooch, it’s a good idea to double match fixtures before you head out to the Olympic Park for walkies.
The Olympic Park is rather large, about a mile and a half from top to bottom, so there are lots of options of places you can start your dog walking route. We’ve chosen to start our route guide where we left off with our Victoria Park dog walk guide… for all you doggies with an abundance of energy!
Walk time: The following route takes about an hour and a half, not including any pit stops along the way.
Dog-friendly features on this dog walk:
Away from busy roads
Dog Poo Bins
Litter-free paths
Off-Lead Time
No other animals
Water Available
Secure perimeters
Well-lit at night
Olympic Park Dog Walk Route:
- Start your walk just outside Victoria Park, at St Mark’s Gate, where our Victoria Park walk finishes – you could make this one long walk if you have some energy to burn off!
- From St Mark’s Gate, cross the road and walk down onto the canal path. Following the canal path along, you’ll be walking past boats and locks until you get to a bend in the canal. Follow this round left and then up onto White Post Lane. You’ll pass White Post cafe & bar – we dare you to resist their offer of prosecco until later!
- Crossing over the bridge you’ll see the London Stadium, home to West Ham football club, on your right-hand side. Walk towards it and stay on the left of the stadium – you should see the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower up ahead.
- From here, there are so many routes to explore. You could take a left and walk down by the River Lea towards Homerton and Hackney Marshes, or you can walk up to the Orbit tower following the gardens and parkland. Energetic canine companions can enjoy exploring and run off the lead along the river – it’s often quiet and your doggy friend can let out some energy running around – but for little legs, the path to the Orbital is a gentle and easy route, dotted with cafes!
- Whichever route you choose, loop back and head towards Here East, at the North end of the Olympic Park. It’s worth saying at this stage that the Olympic Park is constantly being redeveloped and updated – there’s almost always building work going on and you’ll see plenty of signs for new housing, offices, shops and restaurants coming soon. So don’t be surprised if the pathways change slightly next time you go back. The Here East route is one of those that are currently a little confusing, what with all those traffic cones, but stick with it – the path should connect up again without too much of a detour.
- Walk down to the canal and you’ll be greeted by a row of restaurants, bars and cafes. On sunny days there are deckchairs scattered about the grass and you and your dog can sit and enjoy the people-watching and the beautiful wildflowers that line the canal.
- To get back to Victoria Park, walk back the way you came – but this time along the canal. Or, intrepid adventurer that you and your hound are, you could continue on North to Wick Woodland and Hackney Marshes…
Where to find Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
If you’re in the neighbourhood, the Olympic Park is hard to miss – you’ll be able to see the Orbital tower and the Stadium from miles away! The Olympic Park is accessible on foot via canal towpaths, or if you’re travelling from further afield, it’s only a short walk into the park from Pudding Mill Lane DLR station, Stratford Underground, Stratford International or Hackney Wick Overground. If you’re travelling to the Olympic Park on the DLR to Pudding Mill Lane, exit the station and turn left, cross the road and head left underneath the tunnel. The path will slope upwards and when you reach the top you’ll be greeted with panoramic views of East London and the City of London. Immediately on your right you’ll spot The View Tube where you can enjoy a coffee or indulge in some brunch with your pooch at your side.
What are the Olympic Park’s opening hours?
You and your pooch can access the Olympic Park 24 hours a day. But there is limited lighting at night time, unless there’s an event at the stadium. Some routes through the park may not be accessible during sporting events.
Do you have a favourite local dog walking route you’d like to share with the DogBuddy community? Let us know in the comments below!