The start point is at the Cafe in Ricky Aquadrome. Parking is free and Rickmansworth Met Line Station is 10 minutes walk away.
(S/E) Walk between Bury Lake and Batchworth Lake and then take the path keeping Batchworth Lake on your right. Follow the path round to the right and just past the public toilets on your left go over a narrow bridge onto the main road A404. Turn left and then cross the zebra crossing. Turn right into Wensum Way, turn left past Marks and Spencer on your right and then right into the High Street. Towards the end of the High Street,
(1) Turn left by Cafe Nero, cross the road, up some steps and then across a footbridge that goes over the Met Line and then the A412. You will come to a field. Go diagonally right, past Rickmansworth Park JMI School on your right and then in the corner on the left, take the Chess Valley Walk path. Follow this round to the River Chess and then walk along the river, keeping it on your right.
Note how clear the water is, due to it being a chalk river, a very rare habitat, almost exclusive to this part of the world.
(2) Cross the bridge, turn right and then left along a straight uphill path. At the top, turn right up to some steps which will bring you out to Croxley Green. Turn diagonally left aiming for a white fence in the far corner, crossing 2 roads. At the fence, go along the lane and then along a very narrow path with a wall on one side and fence on the other.
(3) At the end of this very short path turn right and then take a diagonal path across a field to woods. At a 3 way junction, go straight (slightly left) and then straight to Newland's Spring, through a car park and over a very minor road into Whippendell Woods. Take the minor path to the right and you will soon come to a wider path.
(4) Turn right. You will come to an open space on your right. Towards the end of this open space, you will see 2 wide paths on your left. Take the right hand one up the hill and at the top of the hill turn right onto a wide path, Lime Walk. This leads down to the Grand Union Canal.
(5) Cross the bridge - note the magnificent weir on your left. Turn right down a path that runs between the Canal and the River Gade(or go straight if you wish to explore the park). Cross 2 very narrow bridges and at Cassiobury Farm turn left keeping the fence on your right. Note the wolves (usually to be found on the roof) and flamingoes (through the gap in the fence).
(6) Cross the bridge, turn right and aim for the large roundabout. Just past the roundabout cross at the dual carriageway and on the other side you'll soon come to Beggars Bush Lane. Go down here. At the end of the road go straight over keeping the canal on your right.
(7) Past the weir take a path on the right. Follow the canal and just past the houses, turn left over a bridge into Croxley Moor. Take the main path across Croxley Common Moor and go through the gate to the Ebury Way.
(8) Turn right and walk almost to the end of the Ebury Way. Turn left when you see Premier Inn, cross a bridge and then turn right onto the Grand Union, past the Canal Centre.
(9) By Tesco's mooring (yes you can go by boat to do your shopping) take the path on the right, turn left immediately and follow this path back to the start keeping Batchworth Lake on your right.(S/E)
