London Loop - Section 24: Beware the Giant Hogweed

  • Route: London Loop
  • Section#: 24

The issue

The growth of Giant Hogweed is a seasonal problem along the route near the start of the section along the path that we describe on page 4 of our walk guidance as looking overgrown but passable. The part of the path affected is reached after negotiating the 2 roundabouts under the A13 and then  going through a squeeze stile and immediately turning right.

A walker tells us that the path is just about passable. The issue is that about half way along there is Giant Hogweed on one side and brambles and nettles in the other. Extreme care is needed here as Giant Hogweed is a nasty plant. At this time of year it is quite hard to avoid it without contact with the brambles and nettles. Growth has been particularly lush this year as shown by the image of Giant Hogweed leaves taken from the path.
 
This walker suggests that people should follow the more accessible, alternative route described on page 4 of our walk guidance.

Giant Hogweed

The Woodland Trust gives full details warming that the sap of giant hogweed can cause burns. The sap contains a chemical which makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight. If the sap gets onto your skin, and you are then exposed to sun, your skin can blister badly. Blistering can recur over months and even years. 

The Woodland Trust's advice is that best way to avoid injury is to familiarise yourself with the plant. Avoid brushing through patches of giant hogweed and exposing yourself to plants which have been cut which might cause you to get sap on your skin. As the plants get bigger during the summer this cn become increasingly tricky for walkers given that the Loop path is quite narrow where the plants are growing.

Details