Walk 93: Grotto Wood Loop

Track along disused railway, historic woodland to explore

4.25 miles (6.85 km)

The Cole Green Way - route of a disused railway track
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

This is an easy walk along the disused Hertford to Welwyn Junction railway track and through some undulating farmland. You pass a lake surrounded by rushes - birdwatchers should take their binoculars. And you can explore the Historic England scheduled monument, the Baroque gardens at Grotto Wood. There are some muddy stretches, so good footwear and a walking stick are recommended.

Walk 92: Much Hadham South Loop

Rolling hills, quiet valleys, and woodland paths

5 miles (8km)

The path through Mill Wood at point 3 on Walk 92: Much Hadham South Loop
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

This is an undulating walk through some open countryside, woodland and along a river. At one point you cross the dismantled Buntingford branch line. The walk starts and finishes in the village of Much Hadham. Refreshments can be taken at The Bull, or Hopleys Cafe. Best check for opening times.

Walk 91: The Wadesmill East Loop

Exploring the River Rib valley

5.5 miles (8.9 km)

The River Rib along Walk 91: The Wadesmill East Loop
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

An enjoyable undulating ramble through some wonderful Hertfordshire countryside following the valley of the River Rib through open fields, woodland, across a ford, and through parkland with magnificent trees.

Six routes on this site affected by footbridge closure

Major repairs required on popular route

The footbridge along Essendon footpath 16 crossing over Wildhill Brook

Image by North Mymms News released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Hertfordshire’s Countryside Management Service (CMS) says a well-used local footpath will be closed until further notice while a footbridge along the route is totally dismantled and rebuilt.

The work is expected to take at least six months. The public right of way features on six routes on this site. Signs are to be put up indicating the section to be closed.  

Walk 90: Heartwood Forest Loop

England’s largest continuous new native forest

5 miles (8 km)

The wild flower meadows at Heartwood Forest
Image by Hertfordshire Walker shared via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A picturesque and varied walk taking in a part of Heartwood that attracts fewer walkers - because it's further from the car park - but which is an area rich in wildflowers and butterflies and well worth a visit. This Woodland Trust reserve has several smaller circular walks dotted around the 347-hectare (858-acre) site all close to the free car park.

Walk 89: Welwyn North NE Loop

Rolling hills, cute villages, loads of pubs

7 miles (11.2 km)

The path between points 6 and 7 below
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

This is an excellent walk that goes through deep woodland, across open fields, has sweeping views over rolling Hertfordshire countryside, passes through several cute villages with interesting pubs, has an really good restaurant at the halfway point, and the whole walk can be done via pubic transport starting and finishing at Welwyn North station.