Urban Walking in the UK

Pamela: That's a nice site, although you do have to have some idea of how to describe your start and end points.

It isn't as detailed (with info on calories burned, etc.) but the Google Maps Navigator app that runs on some phones (Android ones for sure), will give walking directions, too.

Well, I entered Tower of London and then Westminster Abbey and a route came right up. You may be right that Google maps may be easier, but this works too.

Pam

Okay, I don't have a vested interest in this site, but I just googled the same route--Tower of London to Westminster Abbey on Google Maps, and I gotta say that the walkit site, told me easily and quickly how long it would take me to walk from one site to the other. With Google, I had to click around and I still haven't found out how long it would take. Now, I realize that if I were in London and using a google maps on my iphone I would get better info, but I'm in Madison and I want to know how long it would take me to walk from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey and Walkit gave me the info. Pam

Just so there's no misunderstanding: I wasn't saying that google maps was better, I was just noting another alternative. I think walkit does the better job as far as giving details.

Since I won't be carrying my laptop during my daily outings, I compared both programs on my Blackberry.

I entered the route from Waverley Station to Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh.

Each site gave a different set of directions. The Walkit site was reached through the BB's browser and gave all information and a map on one page.

For Google Maps, I used its BB app. It gave me a quick set of directions but not as detailed as Walkit. If I wanted to see it on a map, I had to go to a different page. (Without looking at the map, the Google Maps directions were a little confusing. It would tell me to walk 300m then turn left, or make a tight left, but didn't give the names of the streets.)

Both seemed to work well and I might be inclined to use walkit when in the UK.

I don't know, however, if GPS will work on Walkit. I know it will work with Google Maps. No way to tell until I get back to the UK.

Seems to me both options are fatally flawed in that they are computed.

Anyone who knows London would cross Tower Bridge to the South Bank drop down to the river path and follow the south bank river to London Bridge.

Similarly the Walkit route follows major roads along the way fighting traffic noise and fumes and goes past commercial 20th century office blocks. You can just drop 100 yards down to the river at the Tower of London and walk along the north river path running parallel to the route congested with no traffic and the interesting activity on the river with seats along the way.

I think if I followed these routes I'd soon start using the bus in waht is a very walkable city.

Bob, I agree - while I love Google maps (and would probably enjoy Walk It as well), they both have limitations in that they are computer generated. The same problem arises when driving, especially if you want to take a scenic route. Most online maps tend to default to the quickest easiest route. Even clicking the "avoid highway" option doesn't always get you scenery - or convenience.

Actually, that's one of the reasons I like Google Maps - I can maneuver it to the route I want. However, you have to know such a route actually exists before you can do so.

But both are still good options for travelers who are unfamiliar with a city (or countryside) and who would like the option of preplanning a walking route.

Pamela, you might be interested in a site called Map My Walk. It consists of walks (worldwide) that are submitted by other walkers/runners. For example, one walk is called Thames Sunday Walk.

Bob, I agree, but also disagree.

If you tick the box "less busy" you get down onto the Thames Path, which is the way I prefer to go. I'd rather be on the north bank so I can duck into the City for food, etc.

But I do agree that missing the human touch does miss local knowledge.

I do think that it is a very good tool to get a decent walk. I like the way the directions include local landmarks such as a Pret a Manger or a pub which are easy to see.

YMMV, of course