The family friendly section is from Woolwich to Erith, but continues off-road to Slade Green
Woolwich Elizabeth Line is 250m S of the pier head in the Arsenal site; Woolwich Arsenal a further 250m S in the town square. Until Erith follow the straightforward but magnificent estuarine ride on NCN1, passing a number of interesting industrial and infrastructure sites. The (newly hoggin-surfaced) cycletrack diverges from the Thames Path 2.1 to 2.7, then after sweeping round Crossness Point, the fascinating Crossness Pumping Station 4.1 announces the Southern Outfall Works. Beyond lie two energy from waste facilities (in this section sand or flotsam and jetsam may be a hazard).
On reaching Erith 6.4 you can continue beside the water or divert along West Street (quicker, and chosen by NCN1; your choice). After a short roadside stretch beyond Erith the path 8.1 takes a broad panoramic sweep round to the Darent river mouth* and up the Cray estuary. At 10.1 carry straight on W to Slade Green; Arc 3 continues to A206 main road, with mainly off road provision to Dartford.
•Sadly there is no crossing provision (yet) at the Darent Flood Barrier – which would allow walkers and cyclists to continue along the Thames – in the latter case to Spinoff 4 for the Dartford River Crossing and on to Gravesend.
