The whole route is family friendly, being off-road throughout. Since reccying some years ago, the Lee valley has been transformed into an elongated Regional Park, and each year brings improved access to lands and facilities, and now (March 20222) Cycle Orbital takes advantage of this; it is still possible to stay on the towpath throughout, but Arc 2a plots a better surfaced eastern path from Tottenham Marshes all the way to the Olympic Park.
This 10-mile ride can be a wind tunnel; check the forecast if you don’t want to battle a headwind! Pickett’s Lock 3 is now aka Alfie’s Lock. Take care at N Circular Road 4.2 narrow towpath and at Tottenham Hale 6 cobbled surfaces. R here for Tottenham Hale 250m, R 6.4 Markfield Park for South Tottenham 750m. At Springfield Park 7.1 cross footbridge to follow NCN 1 to Olympic Park via Hackney marshes – a good alternative on busy days.
Staying on the canal you are joined here by walkers on London’s inner circuit, the 80-mile Capital Ring that continues with Arc 2a var to Becton – as does London’s newest and shortest walking circuit, the Jubilee Greenway having joined Arc 2b in Victoria Park. At the end of the ride near Hackney Wick, use cycle paths to explore the Olympic site, find Hackney Wick and Stratford, or continue on Arc 2b to Greenwich or Arc 2b var East London Greenway.
