Hertfordshire Way
| Hertfordshire Way | |
|---|---|
 Hertfordshire Way near Wallington | |
| Length | 194 mi (312 km) |
| Location | Hertfordshire, England |
| Use | Hiking |
| Season | All year |
The Hertfordshire Way is a circular walk around the County of Hertfordshire, England. The total length is 312 km (194 mi) which is fully waymarked in the anti-clockwise direction. One section has two optional routes reducing the possible length to 271 km (168 mi).
The walk is mainly in open countryside, some less than 20 miles from central London, but also passes through the historic city of St Albans, the County town of Hertford and the towns of Royston and Bishop’s Stortford. A number of the smaller, attractive villages of Hertfordshire are also encompassed in the route.
The route is formally divided into 16 sections most of which are accessible using public transport but as a circular walk it can be used to suit the wishes of the walker.
The walk was planned and is cared for by The Friends of the Hertfordshire Way, who are affiliated with the Ramblers Association.[1] Funding for maintenance of way marks etc. is provided through subscriptions and donations to the group and sale of the guidebook.
History
The route originally started development in 1995 as part of the celebrations to mark 60 years of the Ramblers Association but it was not until 1996 that the route was officially established and the first issue of the guidebook was published in 1998. At that time it was 267 km (166 mi) in length. Over subsequent years amendments and additions have been made. The 2009 edition is available from the Friends of Hertfordshire Way.
Route
The route is divided into 16 legs the shortest being around 17 km (11 mi) and the longest 24 km (15 mi) in length. The route starts in North East Hertfordshire at Royston.
Leg 1
Royston to Wallington. This leg is just over 17 km (11 mi) and passes across Therfield Heath and along parts of the ridge of North Hertfordshire with long views across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Pasque Flowers can be seen around Easter on Therfield Heath. The route then passes through the villages of Therfield, Kelshall and Sandon before arriving at Wallington. Wallington is one of the few places with poor public transport.
Leg 2
Wallington to Willian. This leg is about 18 km (11 mi) and passes through the villages of Clothall, Weston and Graveley to finish at Willian on the edge of Letchworth. Frequent public transport is available from the main road about 20mins walk from the finish
Leg 3
Willian to Codicote. This leg is about 19 km (12 mi) and passes through the Wymondleys, St Pauls Walden, with connections to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (Bowes-Lyon), and Whitwell before arriving at Codicote.
Leg 4
Codicote to St Albans. This leg is about 20 km (12 mi) passing through Ayot St. Lawrence and Shaw's Corner (George Bernard Shaw), Wheathampstead and having skirted the north of St Albans finishes at Verulam Museum illustrating the Roman history of the town.
Leg 5
St Albans to Markyate. This leg is approximately 18 km (11 mi) via the villages of Redbourn and Flamstead.
Leg 6
Markyate to Tring Station. This leg is 17.5 km (just under 11 miles). The route goes via Great and Little Gaddesden to the National Trust open space of the Ashridge Estate where you have a good chance of seeing fallow deer before descending to Aldbury and Tring Station.
Leg 7
Tring Station to Kings Langley. This is the longest leg being 24 km (15 mi). The route follows the southern edge of the Ashridge Estate, crosses Berkhamsted common to the Potten End edge of Hemel Hempstead before crossing the Bulbourne valley and Grand Union Canal to reach Bovingdon, Chipperfield and on to Kings Langley. This leg can be divided into two shorter sections, typically around Berkhampsted.
Leg 8
Kings Langley to Shenley. This leg is 20.5 km (a little under 13 miles). The route remains mainly in open countryside despite its proximity to Hemel Hempstead, Watford and St. Albans passing through Bedmond, Aldenham and Letchmore Heath.
Leg 9
Shenley to Cuffley. This leg is 18.5 km (11.5 mi). The route passes South Mimms and the northern edge of Potters Bar to reach Cuffley.
Leg 10
Cuffley to Hertford. This is the original route of the walk but legs 10A and 10B provide an alternative to Hertford. This leg is just over 20 km (12 mi) almost all in rolling countryside via Newgate Street, Essendon, Little Berkhamsted and Bayford to finish in the County town of Hertford.
Leg 10A
Cuffley to Broxbourne. This is the first stage of the alternative route to Hertford. The leg is just over 19 km (12 mi) via Goffs Oak and Hammond Street then skirting Hoddesdon in woodland before arriving in Broxbourne.
Leg 10B
Broxbourne to Hertford. This is the second stage of the alternative route to Hertford; it is 20 km (12 mi) long. The route is via Rye House and Stansted Abbotts before briefly entering the Ash valley and then following the river Lea from Great Amwell in to Hertford.
Leg 11
Hertford to Widford. This leg is 22 km (just over 12.5 miles). This route follows three tributaries of the river Lea; the Beane as far as Stapleford, the Rib from Wadesmill to Thundridge and the Ash from Wareside.
Leg 12
Widford to Bishop’s Stortford. This leg is almost 18 km (11 mi). The route initially follows the river Ash to Much Hadham before heading to Perry Green former home of Henry Moore and then on toward the river Stort and Bishop’s Stortford.
Leg 13
Bishop’s Stortford to Hare Street. This leg is a little over 18 km (just under 11.5 miles) almost all in the open countryside of North East Hertfordshire.
Leg 14
Hare Street to Royston. The final leg is 20.5 km (just over 11.5 miles) again in open countryside some with long views north as the escarpment is reached and passing the villages of Great Hornmead, Nuthampstead, Barkway and Reed.
Connecting Trails
The following trails intersect with the Hertfordshire Way
- Ridgeway National Trail
- Icknield Way
- Lea Valley Walk
- Chiltern Way
- Grand Union Canal Walk
- Hertfordshire Chain Walk
- Harcamlow Way
Transport
The eastern side of the County (Broxbourne, Hertford and Bishops Stortford) are served by rail from London Liverpool Street station. The north east (Royston, Letchworth, Cuffley and Hertford) are served from London Kings Cross or Moorgate. The centre (St Albans) is served by Thameslink from St Pancras whilst the west (Kings Langley, Berkhampsted and Tring) are served from London Euston. Full details of rail services and intermediate stations can be obtained from National Rail. Details of local bus services can be obtained using either the Intalink website or both rail and bus via Traveline South East.
Maps
The route is identified on the following OS Explorer (1:25000) maps: 174; 181; 182; 193; 194;
References
External links
