Great Gaddesden from Jockey End
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.
Technical sheet No. 293103
Calculated time: 2h35[?] 
Distance : 8.26 km
Vertical gain : 69 m
Vertical drop : 73 m
Highest point : 175 m
Lowest point : 106 m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area :
Chiltern Hills
Location : Great Gaddesden
Starting point : N 51.81244° / W 0.492881° 
Today's forecast :
Description
(D)On street parking is available near the centre of Jockey End (grid ref. TL039137) but please be considerate and park carefully to avoid inconvenience to residents. After parking walk east from the road junction in the centre of the village. After 250 metres take the signed footpath on your right to follow the Hertfordshire Way across field to the Hoo, which will be on your left.
(1)Continue along the Hertfordshire Way to pass Hoo Wood, which will be on your right. A short section of the path is through this wood before reaching open fields and a descent down to the A4146. Cross this main road with care and take the footpath opposite. This leads across a footbridge over the River Gade before turning south to reach the main street of Great Gaddesden along a tarmac lane lined with houses.
(2)Cross the main street through the village and take the signed footpath almost immediately opposite. This leads past the old watercress beds along the River Gade on your left. Reaching a junction of paths (grid ref. TL032107), bear half left, cross the footbridge, join the Chiltern Way and reach the A4146 once again. Take care crossing the road and continue by taking the footpath opposite. The way ahead climbs out of the Gade Valley, passes Gaddesden Place on your right, to reach a wide path/track (grid ref. TL038112).
(3)Follow the Chiltern Way northeastwards to the west of Home Farm to join a clear track northeast in the direction of Golden Parsonage. Before reaching the latter the path veers half left and before turning north-west to The Lane House and a junction of paths (grid ref. TL048128).
(4)The Chiltern Way turns right here but we initially turn left and then right again to follow the path across fields to a lane (grid ref. TL044131). Cross this lane and continue in the same direction across fields to reach the Hertfordshire Way used for the outward section of the walk. Turn right along this long distance path and continue to reach the road. Turn left and the centre of Jockey End is a short walk away.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 166 m - Start: Jockey End village
1 : km 1.23 - alt. 168 m - Ccontinue along Hertfordshire Way past the Hoo
2 : km 3.2 - alt. 109 m - Cross street and take footpath opposite
3 : km 4.63 - alt. 159 m - Turn left along track
4 : km 6.73 - alt. 168 m - Turn left at path junction
D/A : km 8.26 - alt. 166 m - Finish: Jockey End village
Useful Information
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
Great Gaddesden Church is worth a look (St John the Baptist) for some fine memorials (Halseys), wooden Victorian angels, brasses and its antiquity.
Opinions and comments
Average
Global average : 3.98/5
Number of opinions : 5
Clarity of route description : 3.2/5
Clarity of route map : 4.25/5
Walk interest : 4.5/5
Walker
Global average : 3 / 5
Date of walk
: 05/09/20
Clarity of route description
: ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Clarity of route map
: ★★★☆☆ Average
Walk interest
: ★★★★☆ Good
The starting point is very hard to find as is Jockey End! We ended up starting in Gaddesden Row and parking is very difficult. It’s a very tiny village with limited parking. Compared to previous walks downloaded from Visorando the directions were not detailed enough. The walk itself is very pretty with some stunning views.
Admin walker
Or Hikideas mobile app, which is coming soon ! 
Walker
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 06/07/19
Clarity of route description
: ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map
: ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest
: ★★★★☆ Good
Simple straightforward, about 3 hours walk.
Good parking.
Start of path has no visible sign!. use the GPX (over viewranger or other OSMAND) and you cannot get lost.
Walker
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 01/04/19
Clarity of route description
: ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map
: ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest
: ★★★★★ Very good
Lovely walk. One needs to be able to read the map though as the description is not always detailed enough. We thoroughly enjoyed it though!
Walker
Global average : 1 / 5
Date of walk
: 29/08/18
Clarity of route description
: ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Clarity of route map
: N/A
Walk interest
: N/A
I COULD NOT FIND THE START OF THE WALK.
Walker
That's great, thanks Martin, I've changed the walk description to match your feedback Sarita
Walker
Hi, I would just say "follow the Chiltern Way northeastwards to the west of Home Farm" instead of "Turn left here and follow the Chiltern Way to follow a route that loops to the west of Home Farm". As can be seen from the map it is a fairly straight course. Great Gaddesden Church is usually open by the way. Regards, Martin.
Walker
Thank you for your feedback on this walk, glad you enjoyed it. I've added your mention of Great Gaddesden Church to the "During the walk" section at the end of the walk description Please feel free to make a suggestion of how we should change the wording of the walk description around Home Farm so that it is more accurate, Many thanks, Sarita, Hikideas Moderator
Walker
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 07/01/18
Clarity of route description
: ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map
: ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest
: ★★★★★ Very good
This is a delightful walk through beautiful countryside, we also made a rest stop at the Garden Centre in Great Gaddesden. Great Gaddesden Church is worth a look (St John the Baptist) for some fine memorials (Halseys), wooden Victorian angels, brasses and its antiquity. Walk is muddy in places such as gateways but not too bad in that respect for a wet winter. Varied and changing scenery. directions were a bit confusing when we came by Home Farm, can't understand why it says turn left when you need to go straight on. But most enjoyable.
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