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.

Walk 88: Ermine Street East Loop

Five nature reserves, deep woodland, and a Roman road

7 miles (11.3 km)

This is a fascinating walk that takes in five nature reserves, passes the site of an ancient moated encampment, and ends with a two-mile stretch along Ermine Street, a former Roman road which passes through deep and shady woodland. In between are rolling hills with open views.

Walk 87: North Mymms to Welwyn Garden City Linear West

Open countryside, wooded paths, great views

13 miles (21 km) 470 ft of ascent, allow 4 to 5 hours 

The view at point 25 on the walk, about to cross the bridge at Brocket Hall
Image copyright Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A 13-mile linear station-to-station route starting at either Brookmans Park or Welham Green stations and ending at Welwyn Garden City taking in part of the Alban Way and wandering through Symondshyde Great Wood. There are a number of pubs either on the route or just off. Parts can be muddy after rain. There are a few noisy stretches close to the A1(M), and you have to cross a few busy roads, but it's almost all on secluded paths with some stretches on quiet country lanes.

Walk 86: Hadley Wood - Brookmans Park linear

Rolling countryside with village pub halfway

7 miles (11.15 km) - 530 ft (162 m) ascent

The start of the footpath from point 4
Image copyright Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A seven-mile linear station-to-station walk from Hadley Wood to Brookmans Park via the village of Northaw, where the walk can be broken for refreshments at the Two Brewers pub/restaurant. This walk can be done in reverse starting from Brookmans Park. You can check the weather and train times before you go by visiting North Mymms News.

Walk 85: North Mymms Park S Loop

Hill climb, quiet valley, woodland

7.35 miles (11.8km)

Hawkshead Wood mentioned at point 18
Image copyright of Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

This walk is a mix of peaceful remote locations and sections walking alongside the busy M25 and A1(M) motorways. The reason we have included the two sections close to major roads is that it enables walkers to follow a loop that takes in the southern part of North Mymms Park. This is a fairly stretching hike with a total of 365 ft of ascent. Parts can be muddy after rain. It should take around two hours.

Walk 84: Waterford Heath Loop

Heathland, chalk-bed river, wild flowers, and butterflies

2 miles (3.2 km)

The River Beane on Walk 84: Waterford Heath Loop
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

This is a short walk through several fascinating geological areas including an old quarry which is now a nature reserve, marshland alongside a rare chalk-bed river, and deep woodland. It has a fair amount of up and down as you loop across heaths, down to the river, and back up through the woods. There is a free car park, well-marked paths, but, unusually for this collection of walks, there are no pubs or refreshment stops along the way, so do take water and a snack if you intend to make a day of it. There is an elevated picnic table three quarters of the way round affording great views.