Walk 81: Wormley Wood Loop

Shady woodland walking, ideal for a hot sunny day 

2.5 miles (4 km)

The sign at the entrance to Wormley Wood
Image by Hertfordshire Walker, released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A great walk for those hot sunny days when you want to escape the sun and enjoy a good ramble in the shade. Plenty of up and down along the way, with loads of bridges, elevated walkways and stairs. See if you can spot the painted logs on the right of the path between points 2 & 3. When we walked the route in August there were quite a few midges and flies bugging us, but we always carry insect repellant and didn't get bitten. Unlike most of our walks this one doesn't pass by a pub, so take refreshments with you. There is a picnic table at the end just before you reach the car park. Wormley Wood is managed by the Woodland Trust.

Walk 80: Panshanger Park Long Loop

Wonderful parkland, shaded woodland, river walking, history

4.75 miles (7.64 km)

This is an excellent walk through Panshanger Park. It combines three loops to create an undulating, varied, and fascinating stroll through former parkland, a walk along a rare chalk river (one of only 180 on the planet), quarries now taken over by nature, some historical remains from the former country estate, and a visit to the largest 'maiden' or clear-stemmed oak in the country, which is thought to be more than 500 years old.

Walk 79: Panshanger Park Short Loop

Lakes, woodland, rare chalk river, quiet paths

2.97 miles (4.77 km)

A great amount of effort has been put into the development of Panshanger Park, once a series of quarries but now a beautiful nature reserve with the River Mimram - one of only 180 chalk rivers in the world - running through the site. There are several picturesque lakes, well sign-posted woodland trails, a free car park, and an area for picnics. The area is popular with dog walkers, especially at the weekend. The majority are responsible and clear up after their pets, but the area close to the car park can be a bit of a dog mess mine field at times.

Walk 78: Welwyn NE Loop

Woodlands, a nature reserve, undulating, open views

7.7 miles (12.4 km)

This walk offers some really good ups and downs with a steady climb at the halfway point, a pub two-thirds of the way round, a stretch that will fascinate train lovers, and wide, open fields with excellent views. There is some walking along quiet country lanes.

Walk 77: Old Knebworth SW Loop

Deep woodland, rolling fields, open views, parkland

6.2 miles (10 km)

A pleasant ramble through rolling countryside with wide, open fields offering excellent views. A mix of woodland footpaths, tracks, quiet country lanes, and one small section through a housing estate on the northern edge of Codicote. The walk starts and finishes at the Lytton Arms in Old Knebworth.

Walk 76: Old Knebworth N Loop

Parkland, wide open views, easy walking

3.1 miles (5km)

A gentle, slightly undulating walk through well-kept parkland, along quiet footpaths and lanes, and over fields offering open views across the Hertfordshire countryside. The route goes through the grounds of Knebworth House and starts and finishes at the Lytton Arms.

Walk 75: Hitchwood Loop

Old woodland, rolling hills, quiet lanes, and secluded paths

3.39 miles (5.46 km)

This is a pleasant walk taking in three trails: the Hitchwood Trail, parts of the Hertfordshire Way, and the North Chiltern Trail. It leads down shady footpaths and over fields with open views. Two-thirds of the way round there is the possibility of a short detour to visit The Strathmore Arms, famous for its real ale. The walk can be enjoyed in about an hour an a half taken at a leisurely pace. Allow three if you are going to stop for refreshments along the way.

Walk 74: North Mymms NE Loop

Parkland, woodland, footpaths, fields and views

3.5 mi (5.7 km)

The path from St Mary's Church across North Mymms Park to Tollgate Road
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A circular walk from St Mary's Church, North Mymms through North Mymms Park and over to Welham Green via the old Dellsome Lane. Then dropping south over the fields to Water End and back to North Mymms parish church.

Walk 73: Hatfield to North Mymms Linear NW

An old railway track, open common land, and swallow holes

7.5 miles (12 km)

The path leading up to Redwell Wood
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The walk starts outside the Galleria in Hatfield and heads south along the route of the old railway branch-line from Hatfield to St Albans. You will pass the restored station of Nast Hyde Halt, walk for almost two miles down a tree-lined byway, cross Colney Heath common, then climb the hill over to North Mymms across Potwell Valley with its meadows and swallow holes. Eventually you drop down to Water End and cross the swallow holes. At that point the route splits for those returning to Brookmans Park and Welham Green.

Walk 72: Essendon to North Mymms Linear NW

An undulating walk through woodland and farmland 

8.2 miles (13.2 km) to Brookmans Park
7.6 miles (12.3 km) to Welham Green

The path heading south from Green Street leading to Wildhill Road
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

This walk starts in the village of Essendon, drops down to the Lea Valley, follows the Lea Valley Walk west for about a mile before heading south through the rolling countryside between Essendon, West End, Wildhill, and Bell Bar. The route crosses several fields where the path has been cut through the crops. This can result in walkers getting wet after rain or in the early morning, especially when walking through rape fields. So waterproof boots and trousers are recommended.