Some suggestions for easy routes out to the countryside from Hackney

Beside the lovely River Lea (or Lee)

Patrick Field says:

Lea Navigation Tow Path goes to Hertford with a branch along the Stort to Harlow, Sawbridgeworth and Stortford, trains following close to the waterway in both directions so when you get tired you can whiz back to Tottenham hale of L'pool street. Train from hackney downs to Chingford and thence into Epping Forest. You can get down from the Forest to The Lea via Sewardstone on Bridelways to make a loop. There are nice circuits in Victoria Park (flat) or Finsbury Park (lumpy) The Parkland walk from Finsbury Park up to Jackson's Lane from there you can walk over to Hampstead Heath.

The Regents Canal goes West to Regents Park (you have to walk the short section with a tunnel under Upper Street. If you can handle a bit of traffic riding you can make a loop from Hackney via Finsbury park - Parkland Walk - Hampstead Heath - Primrose Hill - Regents Canal - Hackney. Hampstead Heath is also accessible from Gospel Oak or Hampstead Heath Stations on the North London Line from Dalston Kingsland, Hackney central or Hackney wick stations. Going South on the Regents Canal you can get down to Limehouse, turn East at Victoria Park to link up with the Lea Path.

Tim Evans says

You can get leaflets and maps for cycling in the Lee Valley from the LV Info centre, 01992-702200. They have(had) one which shows cycle paths from Waltham Abbey up to Broxbourne, a very pretty part and nice & flat for small legs. My favourite way up there is train to Cheshunt from Liverpool St or Tottenham Hale. You just cross the level crossing and you're in the parks. There are several possible round routes back to the station, or you can pick up the train at Waltham Abbey or Broxbourne (or further on if you're inclined). There are pubs at intervals, of varying quality.

The London Cycle Guide by Nicky Crowther has two Hackney rides, one in the Lee Valley on Walthamstow/Hackney Marshes and southwards, and the other a circuit of parks and backstreets. £8.99 from LCC I think, or Haynes Publishing 01963-442030, sales@haynes-manuals.co.uk, www.haynes.com. This part of the valley has the Princess of Wales at the Lea Bridge Road bridge, pleasant with good food. And the Springfield caff, bottom of Spring Hill, where you can sit by the river.

Further up, the pubs at St Margarets are nice and the towpath very pretty, but on a Sunday you have to change trains at Broxbourne (not too bad). The Parkland Walk is pretty but they put deep gravel down sometimes which can make it hard to cycle in places.