Berkhamsted walks

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

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.

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.

This stile free walk to the east of Chesham explores the network of paths in beautiful rolling countryside. There are lovely views of the Chess valley and the walk passes Cowcroft Wood nature reserve where bluebells and wild orchids can be found during the early summer.

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.

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 is a beautiful mostly scenic ride around the Chilterns, although high elevation and a couple of monstrous hills to overcome. This tour starts at Chesham and gives a beautiful tour of the surrounding areas and towns.

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.

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.

The highlight is a visit to Cholesbury Camp, a well-preserved Iron Age hillfort now managed by the Chiltern Society. You will also discover a fascinating history that includes historic buildings, a generous vicar and a local hero who fought at the Battle of Trafalgar.

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.

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.

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

This walk explores the countryside surrounding the Cholesbury Hillfort taking in Dundridge Manor, attractive fields, beech woods, village churches, a section of the Ridgeway National Trail and the enigmatic Grim's Ditch.

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 wonderful, varied walk takes in ancient field patterns and hedges, old earthworks and the home of a famous author, as well as looking at the work carried out by Chiltern Society volunteers.

A linear walk from Chesham to Wendover climbing to the top of the Chiltern escarpment with spectacular views over the Oxford plains from the top of Coombe Hill. The Chiltern Hills are the main point of interest - you walk up one side, to the shoulder, then back down to civilisation. The physical nature of the geography and geology makes this walk feel bigger than it is.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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

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

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

A circular wallk starting from Tring Town Centre.

A circular walk starting from Tring Town Centre.

A circular walk starting from Tring Town Centre.

A circular walk starting from Tring Town Centre.

There’s a lot of lovely, rolling countryside in and around Studham Common, and dramatic views from Dunstable Downs. This walk visits a tree cathedral and a 16th-century church, and offers the possibility of spotting exotic animals at Whipsnade Zoo.

This stile-free walk explores the picturesque Chess Valley and the pretty village of Chenies with its Tudor manor house, 15th century church and village green. It climbs to Church End, Sarratt, passing through the churchyard of the 12th century church. There are fine views of the valley and the River Chess.

This circular walk is very peaceful and part of the Chess Valley Walk. The short walk from Chalfont & Latimer station will take you through neat Metroland streets, with mock 1930’s Tudor jostling with Art Deco suburban dwellings within easy reach of London and the countryside. Hemmed in on all sides by the pressures of London and urban overspill, the charming Chess Valley is a haven of solitude in outstanding Chilterns countryside.

Easy, albeit long, 26km run through the Chiltern hills. Note there is a nice coffee shop in the church in Little Kingshill, which can be good stop for refreshment along the way (not open on Sundays). Hyde Heath is also good for a pitstop, so you don't need to carry much water/snacks. If you do it in the direction indicated, there is not much climbing at the end. Otherwide, the hill from the River Misborne into Amersham-on-the-hill is tough at the end of a long run.

This Chilterns walk takes in parts of the Chess Valley walk at the start and end of the route and a section of the Chiltern Way in between. There is a variety of scenery with undulating landscapes, pastoral scenes of grazing animals, fields of wild flowers in summer, a cricket pitch, a golf course, a quarry, two churches and the shallow chalk stream of the River Chess.

This walk along the River Chess starts from Little Chalfont in Buckinghamshire and walks east through pleasant surroundings before turning west to Chenies and a return to the start.

A walk suitable for everyone. You start by climbing steadily until you are on top of Pitstone Hill from where you will have stunning views over the Vale of Aylesbury, the Ivinghoe Hills and the woods of Ashridge. On the way back to Ivinghoe you pass close to Pitstone Windmill.

This walk is good for both ‘Arms’ and legs. Not only that, what better way to get some fresh air into your lungs than to explore the waterways near Tring? The route includes a visit to one of the best birdwatching sites in the area, Wilstone Reservoir.

The Ridgeway the other way. The NationalTrail from NE to SW. This Stage 1 goes over the Chilterns, across the Grand Union Canal, past Tring, through the Three Hundreds of Aylesbury to reach the market town of Wendover.

This leisurely linear walk takes you along the edge of Shardeloes Lake with its many water birds and past the imposing Shardeloes Manor. It continues through fields by the River Misbourne with an optional extension to the picturesque village of Little Missenden with its ancient church, manor house, and pubs.

A tough walk through the rolling Chiltern Hills taking in Chess Valley Walk, Chilterns Way and Hertfordshire Way. Starts in Old Amersham, near St Mary's Church. Big climb up to pass Martyrs Memorial on the hill above Amersham, then through Chiltern Forest, Latimer, Flaunden and Chipperfield Common to finish at the Two Brewers Inn, Chipperfield.