Cambridge City Centre Circular Walk – 5km Historic Trail Through Colleges, The Backs, Religious Sites and Riverside Views.

Region: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Places To Stay: Cambridge has plenty of options — from boutique hotels and charming guesthouses to budget-friendly B&Bs. Try: Stay in Cambridge or browse more Cambridgeshire Accommodation.

Looking for more city walks in England? Try my London Tube Trekking Walks, Oxford City Walk or Bath Georgian Highlights Walk and coming soon: York Minster Circular.

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The Cambridge City Centre Circular is a relaxed 5km self-guided walk through the heart of one of Britain’s most beautiful and historic cities. With grand university buildings, hidden alleyways, riverside paths, and ancient chapels, this route offers a perfect blend of heritage, green space, and charm, all without needing to leave the city.

This loop includes many of Cambridge’s highlights: the iconic King’s College Chapel, Senate House, the Mathematical Bridge, and the serene Backs along the River Cam. Along the way, you’ll pass through quiet courtyards, lively market streets, and peaceful green spaces like Parker’s Piece and Christ’s Pieces.

Perfect for history lovers, photographers, or anyone wanting to take in the atmosphere of this timeless university town. You can stroll it in under 2 hours, or take your time and explore inside the colleges, museums and cafés as you go.

Looking for Cheap Flights? Try the Skyscanner Flight Checker Below.

This is how I find my ‘Flight Tickets‘, I fly when the price suits my budget. Flying to London Stansted is the closest major hub for Cambridge — only 30 minutes away by train.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and App Link

• Start point: Cambridge Train Station or Market Square (both work well)
• Google Maps link: Market Square (CB1 0SS)
• Download the GPX file here for use on your GPS device or watch
• You can also view and follow this route on my Outdooractive profile

Hike Profile

• Distance: 3 miles / 5 km (circular)
• Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours (or longer with stops)
• Highest point: Mostly flat, all on paved or gravel surfaces
• Difficulty: Easy – accessible for all fitness levels
• Route conditions: Pavements, paths, and riverside walkways — suitable for all shoes

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Hike Description

Start your journey at the bustling Market Square, where Cambridge comes alive with stalls, street food, and local charm. From here, you’ll weave your way through Cambridge, where you’ll pass through the historic heart of the University before turning onto the riverside path known as The Backs, offering picture-perfect views of the colleges across the River Cam.

• Start: Market Square & Petty Cury.
  Explore Market Square where Cambridge comes alive with stalls, street food, and local charm. Continue through Petty Cury, a lively pedestrianised lane, and then turn right down St Andrew’s Street.
• Christ’s Pieces & Emmanuel College.
  Cross the road and head into Christ’s Pieces, a peaceful park with tree-lined paths. Exit at Parkside, opposite Emmanuel College.
• Parker’s Piece.
  Walk through Parker’s Piece, another huge green space where the modern rules of football were codified.
• Downing Street & Fitzwilliam Museum (optional).
  Head down Regent Street, then turn right into Downing Street. If you’re up for a short detour, the Fitzwilliam Museum is nearby (free entry, amazing art & antiquities).
• Silver Street & Mathematical Bridge.
  Follow Downing Street west into Silver Street, which leads to Queens’ College and the iconic Mathematical Bridge over the River Cam.
• The Backs & Clare Bridge.
  Turn right after the bridge to explore The Backs, where you’ll pass Clare College, King’s, and Trinity from a stunning riverside angle.
• Garret Hostel Lane.
  Take this route back to the main area of Cambridge in front of the Kings College, and carry on exploring before you either return to Market Square or visit one of the many cafe’s, restaurants, pubs to finish off your City Tour.
• Quayside & Magdalene Bridge.
  We continued to Magdalene College and crossed Magdalene Bridge over the River Cam, where we stopped for lovely views of punts and the riverside.

This walk combines history, greenery, and city energy in one compact, easygoing route. Whether it’s your first time in Cambridge or your tenth, this loop gives you a little bit of everything that makes the city special.

Cambridge City Centre Walk FAQs

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