The Round Ealing Circuit (TREC) route, launched in 2019 by the West London Ramblers Group, is an approximately 34 km (21 mile) circuit exploring the many green spaces around Ealing and a small section of the easternmost part of Hounslow Borough to reach the River Thames.  Inspired by the larger London circular walks (Capital Ring and LOOP) and the vision of London National Park City,   West London Ramblers decided to create their own inner circle route to celebrate our green boroughs.   

Located within the London Borough of Ealing, Ealing is one of the borough's seven major towns, alongside Acton, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale and Southall.  The TREC route takes in many of these towns (excluding Southall and Northolt).  You will pass through a variety of green spaces, public parks, commons and greens and be introduced to some of Ealing and Hounslow’s attractions: Pitzhanger Manor, Boston Manor, Brent Lodge Park (with its Zoo, Children’s Playground and Millennium Maze) and Gunnersbury Park with its two Mansions.  The route makes use of some waterside paths along the Grand Union Canal (Mainline and Paddington Branch), Brent River and Thames.  The route is not currently way-marked though the guide does mention where it makes use of established signposted routes: The Capital Ring, Brent River Path and Thames Path.  A map of the route is available as a Public Route on Ordnance Survey online mapping (OSmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk) for those who have access, however we still recommend use of the written route notes available in this guide. 

Initially planned for walking over a two day weekend, the route and this guide are both split into 4 sections (see table below), each starting and ending at an Underground or Railway station.  You can choose how much to cover in your walk and where to start and end; opportunities for leaving or joining the route using public transport links are included in the route guides.  Overtime we expect to add further route extensions which will be added to this guide.  Locations for possible Refreshment and Toilet stops are provided. However the availability and times of opening should be checked when planning your walk.

 In planning your walk allow time for looking at places of interest on the way, for checking where you are going, and for a rest or refreshments.  About 3km (two miles) per hour is a comfortable walking pace.  The majority of the route is on good level paths and pavements though Section 2 takes you across some uneven ground, which may sometimes be muddy and slippery, to ascend and descend Horsenden Hill, which at 85 m (279 ft) is the highest point in Ealing and offers splendid views (an optional detour is provided to avoid the Hill).  Section 4 involves steps where it follows the Thames Path, but an optional alternative route without steps is also offered. 

West London Ramblers are grateful to all our walk leaders who collaborated to research this route. To provide feedback on the route or this guide you can reach us via the Contacts links on our website: www.westlondonramblers.org.uk .

Acknowledgements - References:

The following publications and sources have been referred to in writing this guide:

• The Capital Ring Recreational Path Guide - Colin Saunders
• Brent River & Canal Society website:  http://www.brcs.org.uk/ 
• Ealing Council website Parks and Open Spaces information: https://www.ealing.gov.uk 
• London Borough of Hounslow website Parks and Open Spaces information: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/
• London Garden Trust Inventory on their website:  https://londongardenstrust.org/ 
• Brentham - A history of the pioneer garden suburb 1901 - 2001  - Aileen Reid