The route is designed to act as a link between the Capital Ring and the London Loop,[2] and between the many green spaces and wildlife corridors along the way.

[5] Dollis Valley Greenwalk is based on the Brookside Walk, built by Finchley Council (now part of Barnet) in the 1930s.

[6] It was the brainchild of leading Finchley Councillor, Alfred Pike, and followed Mutton Brook west from Falloden Way to its junction with Dollis Brook, and then the Dollis north to the Finchley boundary in Wyatts Farm Open Space, opposite Walfield Avenue.

It was also used for the improvement of existing habitats and the creation of new ones such as wetland woodland and reedbed, enhancement of hay meadows, landscaping, and finally the addition of information boards, fingerposts and other features to increase enjoyability and awareness of points of interest.

The waymarks consist mostly of a simple green disc with a directional white arrow mounted on a wooden post.

(When a route marker points half left off the main track, the path goes through the kissing gate opposite.)

The route then goes through fields and a wood to wooden steps, where it turns right, finishing at the nature reserve's closed car park on the east side of Barnet Way, part of the A1, and a dual carriageway with no access from the northbound lane.