Hertfordshire walks

Starting from Hemel Hempstead Station this is a walk which can be enjoyed without a car. The station is right on the edge of the town so virtually all the route is through the open country, much of it through Boxmoor Trust land, on the plateau of the Chilterns and along the Grand Union Canal. There are lots of reminders of the history of the area from 1594 through WWII. If you are lucky you may see a couple of rare farm breeds kept on Trust land and some interesting birds along the canal.

This walk explores some of the hamlets of the Chilterns which, although close to Hemel Hempstead retain their remoteness in their quiet locations. It goes over the typical chalk uplands of the Gade valley and up to the beechwoods of the National Trust Ashridge estate. It passes charming 17th century cottages, a vineyard, a Buddhist Temple and long established churches. The country truly merits its AONB designation.

This Hertfordshire walk mainly uses old green lanes to go through a varied landscape of fields, woods and hedgerows to arrive at the Holt and then by footpaths to Cuckolds Cross. After that there is a section of larger arable fields where you join the Hertfordshire Way to reach Whitwell, an expanded village with an interesting older centre. The final leg passes through a rare breeds farm and The Bury, birthplace of the late Queen Mother.

Starting from Hexton this walk on the borders of Befordshire and Hertfordshire includes the attractive downland between Telegraph and Deacon Hills and a section of the Icknield Way.

National Trails and Long Distance Paths crisscross the Chilterns in this area. This Circular Walk makes use of short stretches of at least five such to provide a beautiful and varied walk through Chiltern woodland, on Chiltern chalk downs with wide vistas from the scarp edge of the hills, along a stretch of the historic Grand Union Canal, and through one of the prettiest villages in Hertfordshire.

This short Hertfordshire walk explores the pleasant countryside to the south east of Jockey End and follows the Hertfordshire Way to descend into the Gade Valley and the village of Great Gaddesden. The return route leaves the valley following the Chiltern Way for the return to the start.

A pleasant circular Hertfordshire walk starting from the village of Aspenden near Buntingford. The route featues an abandoned village, a Roman Road and a moated house. Aspenden has pub for those requiring refreshment at the end of the walk.

Explore the landscape and history of a special corner of Hertfordshire. Starts in Kimpton and includes two 12th century churches, a neoclassical church, a park designed by Capability Brown and the house of a famous playwright and author.

This walk is over the undulating plateau of the Chiltern dip slope, through the parklands of some of the 18th Century mansions which dot the Chilterns. Although the land is now more given over to arable agriculture, the landscape is still greatly influenced by the great designers, including Capability Brown. A walk with great views over the Gade valley and a revelation of the life style of baronets and local squires in the 1700s and the lesser houses of their tenants.

Starting from Hexton this walk on the borders of Befordshire and Hertfordshire offers mile after mile of beautiful countryside with the hilltops steeped in ancient history. The route includes sections of the Icknield and John Bunyan Ways.

A wonderful walk that starts from the historic village of Lilley and passes through some of the best chalk grassland in the Chiltern Hills. The walk also touches on three major walking trails.

A circuit around the village of St Paul’s Walden passing through some of the finest woodland in the North Chilterns and the picturesque parkland surrounding the grand houses of Stagenhoe and St Paul’s Walden Bury. The bluebells in Hitch Wood are spectacular in spring!

From picturesque Aldbury you follow the Ridgeway to Ivinghoe beacon, returning via the Ashridge boundary trail and the Chiltern Way. You can enjoy the contrasts between the two LDPs: airy ridges on the Ridgeway and the patchwork of woods and fields on the Chiltern Way.

Starts at Two Brewers Inn, Chipperfield. Passes thru' Kings Langley where we join the Grand Union Canal for a short distance. Then thru' Bedmond & Potters Crouch before descending past the Roman wall into Verulamium Park and past St Albans Cathedral to finish at St Albans Abbey Station.

Easy walking with some mild hill climbs and busy road. This is the Route 1.

Easy level walking and solid underfoot throughout.

Visit some of the quieter parts of the Ashridge Estate on the way to Hudnall Common and Little Gaddesden.

A lovely walk in the parish of Great Gaddesden in Hertfordshire, passing three beautiful houses. It starts on the chalk plateau at Jockey End, descending through fields and parkland to the water meadows by the Gade chalk stream, through the pretty village of Great Gaddesden, before returning on the Chiltern Way via the parkland of Gaddesden Place.

This walk demonstrates that modern Hemel Hempstead and its environs have much more to offer than cynics would have you believe, taking in sections of canal and river and what has been described as one of the prettiest streets in Hertfordshire.

A short circular walk from Preston village via Dead Woman's Lane and Wain Wood. An easy route using scenic green lanes and good footpaths. Ideal as an evening stroll or to work up an appetite for lunch.

A circular trail near Berkhamstead covering the Ridgeway, Grim's ditch, Pitstone Hill, Steps Hill, Ivinghoe Beacon, Beacon Hilll, Icknield Way trail. Starting at Ashridge monument where there is national trust parking.

This short but varied walk starts from an historic farm, enjoys sweeping views and looks at some important local history. There's also the chance to explore nature in Philipshill and "No Dragon" woods. You can finish the walk with some of the best cake in the area.

A walk through delightful North Hertfordshire countryside featuring well cared-for historic villages and hamlets, linked by fields and woods. There are interesting buildings including a restored windmill.

This circular walk starts in the small North Hertfordshire village of Clothall and takes you to Wallington along sections of the Hertfordshire Way before heading back to Clothall along the Icknield Way. The route takes in wooded paths and open landscapes particularly along the chalk escarpment of the Icknield Way with panoramic views of South Cambridgeshire to the north. There is some gentle climbs which may get the heart pumping, but the views are worth the effort. As this is a circular walk you can decide to walk the route clockwise or anticlockwise, however I would strongly recommend walking the route in an anticlockwise direction as described below as this route criss-crosses many other paths and bridleways and it is easy to find yourself on the wrong path as the author can attest. Walking the route in an anticlockwise direction should avoid any wrong moves.

A circular walk from Flamstead via Beechwood Park through peaceful rolling country.

Gordon Beningfield was an artist with an international reputation for his beautiful depictions of the natural world. He spent many happy hours walking through the countryside with his close friend, naturalist and broadcaster Dennis Furnell. This walk, one of their favourites, is described by Dennis.

Discover the serene beauty of Kings Walden on a picturesque walking route through lush countryside fields, where cows and sheep graze amidst stunning village views. Start and end your adventure at the charming village pub, offering ample parking and a perfect spot to unwind.

This beautiful walk takes you from the outskirts of Watford into the depths of the countryside to see a host of wild flowers.

A walk around Knebworth taking in Rabley Heath nature reserve. A short circular walk that includes a section through woodland of Rabley Heath Nature Reserve. Refreshments can be found at The Robin Hood and The Lytton Arms which has a large selection of real ales.

A circular walk starting from Tring Town Centre.

A circular walk starting from Tring Town Centre.

A circular wallk starting from Tring Town Centre.

A circular walk starting from Tring Town Centre and exploring the historic parkland.

A circular walk starting from Tring Town Centre and offering spectacular views.

A circular walk starting from Tring Town Centre.

A walk through the largest continuous new native forest in England. We’ve chosen a route that features some of the best scenery throughout the year and has a magnificent display of bluebells in spring.

This walk visits Rickmansworth and Croxley Green, whose current size and character owe much to the arrival of the Metropolitan Railway. The varied route includes woodland, fields, a moor designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a village green, rivers and a canal.

This walk follows the ancient Ridgeway with stunning views from the tops of both Pitstone Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon, before returning through the beautiful woodland of the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate.

A rewarding, scenic country walk exploring several commons and villages along with an attractive river valley. Good pubs!

This walk gives you the opportunity to experience the abundance of wildlife in the beautiful Colne Valley across many different types of habitat. It’s a wonderful location for all ages to explore and enjoy with the possibility of spotting rare migrating birds.

A short circuit from Preston village through Hitch Wood, one of the finest woods in the North Chilterns. Worth following for spectacular bluebells in spring or as a pre-pub leg stretch.

Experience the Ridgeway and Chiltern Way on a walk linking the woods of Ashridge with the woods above Tring Park across the Bulbourne Valley (Tring Gap).

A route to the South of Redbourn with gentle hills, good views and pleasant walking through the Ver Valley and water meadows. On a fine day you might see families taking a dip at the ford! A minor detour is possible to look at Redbournbury Mill.

The National Trust Estate at Ashridge is one of the best places in the country to see bluebells in spring. This gentle walk will take you through carpets of this beautiful plant, and also looks at the history of the estate. There are wonderful views over the valley from Duncombe Terrace.

A walk through lovely Chiltern scenery with lots of interest on the way - a Norman Castle, WW1 trenches, a canal and more.

A moderate stile-free walk The walk starts in the village of Great Offley, heading south-west along the ridge above Hitchin before descending to the small hamlet of Charlton. From there, there is a steady, scenic climb back to Offley.

Climb from the pretty market town of Tring to Hastoe and return through beautiful Tring Park a mix of mature woodland and parkland.

The parish of Kimpton is criss-crossed by an extensive of public rights of way, some of them dating from pre-Roman times. This walk explores the farmland north of the village which is rich in wildlife and there are outstanding views.

Stroll along the waterside and look for waterbirds on this gentle 13km walk. Starting at Tring railway station, it takes in College Lake nature reserve, a section of the Grand Union Canal and three reservoirs.

Enjoy scenic views, wooded valleys and ancient parkland on this 10km circular walk through the Chilterns. Starting in Tring, the walk takes in Dancersend nature reserve and the Ridgeway National Trail.