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Please use the links below to view full route information including descriptions, elevation profiles, interactive maps and GPS downloads. You can also view an overview map of all the routes in the county here
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| Hertfordshire Walks |
| Route Name | Pic | Distance | Description |
| Alban Way |  | 6 miles (9 km) | Follow the disused Hatfield to St Albans railway line on this route from St Albans to Hatfield. It is a shared cycle and walk path and makes for an easy and safe stroll or ride. |
| Ashridge Boundary Trail |  | 16 miles (26 km) | This walk takes you on a tour of the National Trust owned Ashridge Estate in the Chiltern Hills. The estate consists of 5,000 acres of woodlands, commons and chalk downland which supports a rich variety of wildlife.
The walk starts at the Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre next to the Bridgewater Monument, erected in 1832 to the Duke of Bridgewater. You can climb the monument for fabulous panoramic views of the estate before starting the circular tour of the beautiful grounds.
Highlights on the walk include the Golden Valley to the north-east of Ashridge house which was created by famous landscape gardener Capability Brown in the 18th century. You will also visit Ivinghoe Beacon, with its splendid views of the Vale of Aylesbury and Dunstable Downs. |
| Chess Valley Walk |  | 10 miles (16 km) | Follow the River Chess through the Chess Valley on this delightful trail through Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
You start at Chesham Station passing Latimer, Chenies and Loudwater before finishing at Rickmansworth Station. This is a nice easy waterside walk with plenty of attractive countryside and a series of quiet little villages to enjoy. It is also easily accessible with train stations at either end. Route highlights include the Grade I listed Chenie Manor House with its beautiful gardens and the splendid grounds of the Chorleywood House Estate near Loudwater.
Click here for more information on this walk. |
| Chiltern Heritage Trail |  | 51 miles (82 km) | Travel through the Chilterns Hills on this splendid circular walk and visit numerous delightful hamlets, villages and towns in Buckinghamshire. The walk begins at Chesham and passes Amersham, Chenies, Chorleywood, Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles and Great Missenden.
Highlights on the walk include the splendid
Chenies Manor House and Gardens. Located in the village of Chenies the estate is highly recommended with its enchanting Tudor Manor House and award winning gardens.
Near Chalfont St Peter you will find the fascinating Chiltern Open Air Museum. The museum rescues and restores common English buildings from the Chilterns and relocates them to its 45-acre site, which includes woodland and parkland.
At Chalfont St Giles you will find John Milton's cottage where the famous poet completed Paradise Lost. Now a musuem it houses an extensive collection of his works and also includes a Grade II Registered Historic Garden.
Also of interest is the 13th century St Mary's Church and the award winning Amersham Musuem.
As well as the sequence of interesting historical attractions there is some beautiful countryside and a long waterside stretch along the River Chess from Chesham to Chenies to enjoy. |
| Chiltern Way |  | 124 miles (200 km) | This is the original 125 mile circuit of the Chilterns AONB taking you through Hemel Hempstead, Chalfont St Giles, the edge of Marlow, Hambleden, Bix Bottom, Ewelme, the Ridgeway, Stokenchurch, Great Hampden, Aldbury, the Dunstable Downs, Sharpenhoe Clappers and Harpenden. The main attractions on the route are the series of delightful villages with their ancient churches, pretty village greens and fascinating museums. The Chilterns countryside is also beautiful with rivers, canals and the rolling hills to enjoy.
The walk is waymarked with yellow and white disc. |
| Colne Valley Trail |  | 7 miles (11 km) | Follow the Colne Valley Trail from Uxbridge to Rickmansworth and enjoy riverside and canalside walking or cycling.
The trails follows the Grand Union Canal and the River Colne while also passing a series of pretty Lakes including Lynsters, Stocker's and Batchworth Lake. The trail finishes at Batchworth Lake by the car park in Rickmansworth. |
| Dollis Valley Green Walk |  | 11 miles (17 km) | This pleasant walk takes you from Mill Hill near Edgware in North London to the edge of Hampstead Heath along the Dollis Brook. You will pass through Moat Mount Nature Reserve and Totteridge Fields Nature Reserve on this flat easy walk through North London. |
| Ebury Way | | 3 miles (5 km) | This is an easy short cycle and walking route ideal for families. It runs along NCN route 61 and a dismantled railway line from Ricksmanworth to Watford and passes through a variety of habitats, including open moor, woodland, and wetlands. The trail crosses a number of waterways including the rivers Colne, Chess and Gade and the Grand Union Canal.
Please click here for a pdf guide from watford council |
| Grand Union Canal Walk |  | 145 miles (234 km) | Follow the towpath of Britain's longest canal from London to Birmingham on this fabulous waterside walk. You start in West London in a lively and attractive area with canalside bars and restaurants, before heading towards the Chiltern Hills, on through rural Northamptonshire and Warwickshire and into the Birmingham suburbs. Highlights include
- Little Venice - the start of the walk in West London with trendy bars/cafes and historical old factories and warehouses
- Iron Trunk Aqueduct - a magnificent Georgian structure, which carries the Grand Union Canal over the River Ouse, connecting the villages of Cosgrove and Wolverton
- Hatton Locks - located near Warwick, this flight delivers 21 locks in less than two miles
- The Canal Museum - located at the lovely village of Stoke Bruerne the musuem houses stories, films, collections and displays all about our waterways.
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| Greenwich to Cheshunt |  | 21 miles (34 km) | Follow NCN route 1 on this plesant ride or walk through north London into Hertfordshire. You start by the Thames at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich and crosses to the Isle of Dogs via the Greenwich tunnel. This section gives splendid views of the River Thames and Canary Wharf.
Shortly after leaving the Thames behind you will come onto the Lee Valley path which will take you along the Regent's canal and through Tower Hamlets and Victoria Park. You then join the River Lee near Lea Bridge for some more waterside riding. The off road path then takes you past various Reservoirs until you reach the lovely Lee Valley Park - London's largest open space. After going through the park you will soon pass close to Waltham Abbey in Essex before you arrive at the finish point at Cheshunt station next to Cheshunt lake. |
| Hertfordshire Chain Walk |  | 39 miles (62 km) | The Hertfordshire Chain Walk is a series of circular walks running through Hertfordshire. This route is a combination of these walks, forming a linear route which runs from Enfield in London, through Hertfordshire to Ashwell & Morden Station in Cambridgeshire.
The walk begins at Crews Hill Station in Enfield and heads towards Welwyn Garden City, passing through Whitewebbs Country Park, Derry's Wood and Wormley Wood Nature Reserve on the way. Near Welwyn you cross the River Mimram, before passing through Bramfield Woods on your way to Watton at Stone, crossing the River Beane on your way. The final section then takes you through Cottered and Kelshall before finishing at Ashwell & Morden Station.
This walk gives super views of the flat lands of Cambridgshire while also visiting a series of delightful Hertfordshire parks, woods and nature reserves. |
| Hertfordshire Way |  | 166 miles (267 km) | Explore some of the finest countryside and prettiest towns and villages in this fascinating county. The path is circular, visiting Ashridge Forest, St Albans, Hetford, Codicote, Tring, King's Langley, Cuffley and Bishop's Stortford. There's also some lovely scenery to enjoy with much of the walk taking place with the Chiltern Hills in the background. Places of interest include the beautiful Ashridge Estate, near Berkhamsted (video below) and Shaw's Corner - the former residence of playwright Bernard Shaw located at Ayot St Lawrence, near Welwyn.
The Friends of the Hertfordshire way have split the walk into the following manageable sections, each of about 12 miles in length:
| Royston to Wallington |
11.1 miles |
| Wallington to Willian (Letchworth) |
11.4 miles |
| Willian to Codicote |
11.8 miles |
| Codicote to St. Albans |
12.6 miles |
| St. Albans to Markyate |
11.0 miles |
| Markyate to Tring Station |
10.9 miles |
| Tring Station to Kings Langley |
15.0 miles |
| Kings Langley to Shenley |
12.8 miles |
| Shenley to Cuffley |
11.5 miles |
| Cuffley to Hertford |
12.6 miles |
| Hertford to Broxbourne |
12.0 miles |
| Broxbourne to Hertford |
12.5 miles |
| Hertford to Widford |
13.6 miles |
| Widford to Bishop's Stortford |
11.1 miles |
| Bishop's Stortford to Hare Street |
11.4 miles |
| Hare Street to Royston |
12.7 miles |
The walk is waymarked with a green sign featuring the head of a deer. |
| Icknield Way Path |  | 110 miles (177 km) | The Icknield Way Path starts at Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire and heads to Knettishall Heath in Norfolk along prehistoric pathways. |
| John Bunyan Trail |  | 77 miles (124 km) | Follow in the footsteps of John Bunyan, the Puritan Evangelist and author of the book 'Pilgrim's Progress'. The walk visits many historic villages associated with Bunyan. It starts at Streatley and visits Sharpenhoe,Harlington, Westoning, Steppingley, Flitwick, Ampthill, Millbrook, Ridgmont, Cranfield, Bromham, Stevington, Pavenham, Oakley, Clapham, Bedford, Elstow, Shefford, Meppershall, Shillington, Hexton and Barton le Clay before returning to Streatley. There's some beautiful Bedfordshire countryside to enjoy including Sharpenhoe Clappers, the Barton Hills and views of the Chiltern Hills for much of the walk.
The walk is waymarked with a white disc featuring a silhouette of John Bunyan. |
| Kingfisher Way |  | 21 miles (34 km) | This is a delightful walk along the River Ivel from Baldock to Roxton. You start off at the source of the river at Ivel springs, Baldock, and follow the river north through Stotfold, Henlow, Langford, Biggleswade, Sandy and Blunham.
Walk highlights are the series of pretty, riverside villages with historic churches and watermills.
Wildlife lovers will enjoy the Henlow Common and Langford Meadow Nature Reserve at Langford. This 50 acre reserve is home to a variety of wildlife and consists of grassland, scrubland, native trees, bushes and a running stream.
Also of interest is the Warren Villas Nature Reserve where there is also a plethora of water loving wildlife. The reserve features an island lake, home to wintering wildfowl and in summer breeding terns. The reserve is on route and situated just to the north of Biggleswade.
Other highlights include the 17th century Henlow Grange and park which is now used as a health and beauty farm visited by the rich and famous. |
| Lea Valley Walk |  | 53 miles (85 km) | A super walk with a series of delightful waterside sections along the River Lea. The walk runs from Leagrave, the source of the River Lea near Luton, to the Thames at Limehouse Basin, east London. You follow a riverside path for much of the way through, Luton, Hatfield, Hertford and Cheshunt with a swan emblem clearly waymarking the walk. The walk passes Nature Reserves, pretty riverside villages and also includes a section through the fantastic
Lee Valley Park - London's largest open space. |
| London Loop |  | 149 miles (240 km) | Also known as the London Outer Orbital Path, this walk takes you on a tour of the parks, woods and fields around the edge of Outer London. You start at Erith, on the River Thames and pass through Crayford, Orpington, Petts Wood, Coulsdon, Kingston upon Thames, Uxbridge, Elstree, Cockfosters, Chingford and Upminster Bridge before finishing back on the River Thames at Purfleet, opposite Erith.
The walk has been divided into 24 manageable sections as follows:
Erith
Old Bexley
Petts Wood
West Wickham Common
Hamsey Green
Coulsdon South
Banstead Downs
Ewell
Kingston Bridge
Hatton Cross
Hayes
Uxbridge
Harefield
Moor Park
Hatch End
Elstree
Cockfosters
Enfield Lock
Chingford
Chigwell
Havering-atte-Bower
Harold Wood
Upminster Bridge
Rainham
The walk is waymarked with a disc featuring a kestrel |
| New River Path |  | 28 miles (45 km) | Follow the man made New River from Hertford to Islington on this easy waterside walk. There's much to enjoy on this walk including regular views of the River Lea and riverside Nature Reserves. The walk passes through Hoddesdon, Cheshunt, Enfield and Finsbury park with urban sections towards the end of the walk. |
| Nicky Line-Hemel-Hempstead to Harpenden |  | 8 miles (13 km) | This short off road cycle or walking route runs along the Nicky Line - a disused railway track running from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden.
This is a nice safe and easy route making it ideal for a family ride. |
| Stevenage Outer Orbital Path |  | 27 miles (43 km) | This well maintained walking path circles Stevenage in Hertfordshire. It is easily accessible from Stevenage via 8 linked paths and is waymarked throughout.
The STOOP circuit passes through Graveley,Walkern, the Beane Valley, Datchworth, Woolmer Green, Knebworth Park, St Ippollitts, Little Wymondley and back to Graveley, using local footpaths and bridleways.
One of the highlights of the walk is the delightful Knebworth House. Famous for its music concerts you will also find a fine stately home surrounded by beautiful gardens. |
| Stort Valley Way |  | 28 miles (45 km) | A lovely circular walk around Harlow, Nazeing and Roydon.
The path runs along the River Stort from Roydon and then onto Harlow and Sawbridgeworth. This section involves some easy riverside walking and a series of pretty locks. The route then heads through Matching Park, Harlow Park and Latton Park before heading back to Roydon through Bumble's Green and Nazeing. |
| Ver-Colne Valley Walk |  | 15 miles (24 km) | Follow the rivers Ver and Colne on this waterside walk through Hertfordshire.
The walk starts at Redbourn and follows the River Ver to the historic town of St Albans with its impressive cathedral and delightful riverside park and lake. The path continues south, joining the river Colne for the final stretch into Watford.
This walk has much to enjoy including, lakes, weirs and numerous species of river dwelling wildlife. |
| Watling Chase Timberland Trail |  | 10 miles (16 km) | Follow the Watling Chase Timberland Trail through the Watling Chase Community Forest on this historical path used by travellers for at least two thousand years.
The walk starts at Elstree and Borehamwood Station and heads north to Shenley where you will pass though the pretty Shenley park. This 45 acre park boasts woodlands, a wildflower meadow and an apple
orchard. Also at Shenley you will find the Shenley Cricket Centre with its 19th century pavillion designed by W.G Grace. The path then heads to London Colney, joining the River Colne which leads you to the picturesque Colney Heath and then onto the finish point at Smallford, near St Albans and Hatfield.
Click here for a pdf guide from Hertfordshire CC. |
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Photos provided by Panoramio. Photos are under the copyright of their owners.