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  • Woodland showing a field of bluebells in Hertfordshire
    Woodland showing a field of bluebells in Hertfordshire Photo: Nick Page, CC0, Unsplash

Hikes & Walks in Hertfordshire

England,United Kingdom

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Hertfordshire is the ideal area to visit for beautiful walks, with country rambles, woodland walks and riverside strolls and nature reserves. Both short and long-distance trails can be found here, as well as loop walks. Here you can also find local picturesque cities and villages to explore on foot such as St Albans and Hertford. Home to miles of green fields, wildlife thrives in abundance here. To help you get started, see below for the best walks in Hertfordshire.

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The 10 most beautiful hikes in Hertfordshire

Hiking Route · South West England
The Ridgeway
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
1
136.4 km
34:24 h
1,260 m
1,212 m
The Ridgeway national trail. The Ridgeway is a ridgeway or ancient trackway described as Britain's oldest road. 138.5 km (86.1 miles) 2,269 m (7,444 ft) ascent 275 m (902 ft) maximum height.
Community
Hiking Route · South East England
LDWA walk 22 April 2023
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
32.1 km
8:08 h
387 m
386 m
A very easy route with a few ups and downs near the lovely historic town of Hertford.  There are a few short stretches of road walking.  Otherwise, the route is on tracks and paths.  Some of these will be muddy if the wet weather continues.  Bayford Station - Bramfield-Watton at Stone – Hertford -Bayford. Finish at Bayford Station
Community
Hiking Route · South East England
Chalfonts Circular Walk - 15 miles
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
23.9 km
6:05 h
175 m
175 m
This 15-mile circular walk starts at the Car Parks near the cricket ground on the A404 near Chorleywood.  It covers the Chiltern Heritage Trail/The Chiltern Way, The South Bucks Way and The Chess Valley Walk as it passes through Chorleywood, Chalfont St Giles, Little Chalfont and Chenies. It takes in lunch at The Metropolitan pub in Little Chalfont. I have graded this walk as easy . There are no significant ascents and the ground is easy-going at all stages. Some of the fields may get boggy in wet weather.
Community
Hiking Route · South East England
Stanstead Abbots to Great Amwell circular
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
2
6.1 km
1:33 h
35 m
35 m
A Short and easy walk following the New River path and passing through the picturesque churchyard of St John the Baptist at Great Amwell.
Community
Hiking Route · South East England
Hertford town and country
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
4
8.1 km
2:01 h
38 m
38 m
This short walk uses the Colne Green Way to lead us out from Hertford Castle in the town centre into open countryside, before carefully picking its way back through footpaths on the north west side of the town, returning us to the start point.
Community
Hiking Route · South East England
Croxley Green Circular Walk
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
15.9 km
3:55 h
75 m
74 m
A 10 mile circular walk, starting at Croxley Station (Metropolitan Line) and following the Grand Union canal before heading north towards Sarratt. A video of the walk can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcSHmrSRxMI
Community
Tom's Hill Car Park
Hiking Route · South East England
Aldbury Circular Walk - 15 Miles
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
1
24.5 km
6:23 h
312 m
312 m
15-mile circluar walk around Aldbury, taking in a good stretch of the Ridgeway. Start at Tom's Hill car park and lunch at the Greyhound in Wiggington. It is worth booking ahead at the Greyhound, as this great pub is often very busy.
Community
Hiking Route · South East England
Heartwood Forest Adventure Walk
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
5.5 km
1:23 h
42 m
42 m
Heartwood Forest Adventure Walk through the nice fields and woods.
Community
Hiking Route · South East England
Abbots Langley "The Open Spaces"
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
2
4.3 km
1:04 h
31 m
30 m
A circular walk taking in the open spaces in and around Abbots Langley. Not designed to be an exhaustive tour, more a taster of areas you may want to explore in more detail, especially the Heritage Trail in Leavesden Country Park.
Community
Hiking Route · South East England
Amersham to Rickmansworth (by the Chess Valley Walk)
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
15.6 km
3:58 h
58 m
150 m
A nice leisurely walk to Rickmansworth (or Amersham depending which way you are going) where you can then either turn around to head back or just catch the tube.
Community
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Forecast for Hertfordshire

The Most Beautiful Woodland Walks in Hertfordshire

Discover Hertfordshire's woods with a walk that follows a historic ridgeway, and has views from the peaks of Pitstone Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon, before returning through the lovely National Trust's Ashridge Estate's woodland. The Ivinghoe Beacon & Ashridge Estate walk is a great route for all walkers!

Hiking Route · South East England
Ivinghoe Beacon & Ashridge
Difficulty moderate
Distance 14 km
Duration 3:45 h
Ascent 195 m
Descent 195 m

This walk follows the ancient Ridgeway with stunning views from the tops of both Pitstone Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon, before returning through the ...

6
from Chiltern Society,   The Chiltern Society

Broxbourne Woods National Nature Reserve is a great area to trail on foot.  With untamed woodlands and ancient wood. Proof that nature can withstand man-made pressures if we only give it a chance.  There are various paths to follow here, for a family favourite walk, walk the Broxbourne Sculpture trail,  which has oak wood sculptures along the route.

Nature Trail · South East England
Broxbourne Sculpture Trail 23 Feb 2021 at 12:51
Difficulty
Distance 1.1 km
Duration 0:17 h
Ascent 18 m
Descent 19 m

A short circular walk featuring interesting wooden sculptures.

from Mikestavros159 Wanderer,   Community

Or for a mixture of woodland and lakeside views, follow the Batchworth Heath Grand Union Canal Circuit. From Rickmansworth's Aquadrome, take a round stroll along the nearby waterways. The Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve is over 100 acres and includes lakes, grassland, and woods is a great spot to go for a walk. This circular walk begins along a section of the Grand Union Canal before turning to run beside the railway to reach Rickmansworth town centre, then via the Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve to return to the starting point. 

Hiking Route · South East England
Batchworth Heath Grand Union Canal Circuit (9.5m)
Map / Batchworth Heath Grand Union Canal Circuit (9.5m)
Difficulty moderate
Distance 15.2 km
Duration 3:45 h
Ascent 71 m
Descent 73 m

Batchworth Heath Grand Union Canal Circuit (9.5m)

from Rob Lifely,   Community

Visit Ashridge Estate

Discover Ashridge Estate with the Ashridge Estate boundary trail walk.  The Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail is a fairly long loop walk that circles the National Trust's Ashridge Estate in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, on the northern edge of the Chiltern Hills. The walk is mostly through lovely Chiltern beech forests, with a few stretches into green fields, and the highlight is its expansive views over the Vale of Aylesbury and towards Dunstable Downs. This location is a part of Hertfordshire's history with Ashridge House once being part of a monastery.

Hiking Route · South East England
Ashridge Boundary Trail
Difficulty
Distance 25.4 km
Duration 6:30 h
Ascent 298 m
Descent 298 m

National Trust - Ashridge Estate This walk includes some of the outstanding features of the estate, including Ivinghoe Beacon, ancient woodlands ...

from Kiran Chaugule,   Community

What are the Best Walks in Hertfordshire?

Visit the second largest town in Hertfordshire, Hertford on this circular walking route. Here you can enjoy a 6-mile walk along the River Lea, across the River Rib, and return by the New River to Ware, Hertfordshire. In addition to the trail, you can stop off and explore Hertford Castle and the Hertford Brewery.  Other points of interest include Lea Island which leads into the original River Lea, Chadwell Springs, and Bushey Dell Nature Reserve. Car parking is available close to both Hertford East Station and Ware Station. 

Hiking Route · South East England
Hertford to Ware,Hertfordshire Circular
Difficulty moderate
Distance 9.3 km
Duration 2:15 h
Ascent 13 m
Descent 11 m

A 6 mile walk along the River Lea,crossing The River Rib and then following The New River to Ware,Hertfordshire and returning. Plus a visitto the ...

3
from Chris Mathieson,   Community

For a walk that takes you past the lovely St. Albans Cathedral and watermills, try the Redbourne to St. Albans route. This is a great round loop walk that starts in Redbourn Common and heads through picturesque farmland and stunning west Hertfordshire countryside.  Enjoy the vast open views and rolling green pastures. 

Hiking Route · South East England
Redbourn to St Albans Circular
Difficulty moderate
Distance 20.9 km
Duration 5:08 h
Ascent 93 m
Descent 93 m

A great 15 mile walk through Hertfordshire, taking in Watermills and Cathedrals.

2
from Chris Mathieson,   Community

Looking for a walk with a nice pub waiting for you at the finish? Then walk from the Cricketers Pub in Sarratt, Hertfordshire to Chess Valley. The Cricketers, which overlooks the village green in Sarratt, is a great area to relax with a pint and watch the world go by on a bright day. The walking path passes through the famous Chiltern Hills, with tranquil rolling hills and valleys, the lovely River Chess, chalk streams, water meadows, a watercress farm, and lots of animals to see. 

Hiking Route · South East England
Chess Valley Walk
Difficulty moderate
Distance 15.6 km
Duration 4:03 h
Ascent 200 m
Descent 197 m

Circular 10 mile walk from The Bricklayers Arms in Flaunden taking in a fair bit of the Chess valley walk and calling in at Church end in Sarratt, ...

from Daryl Walter,   Community
Explore our Travel Guide for Hertfordshire
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Reviews

  1,261
Ashridge Boundary Trail - Old Codgers 2023 by Jim
September 11, 2023 · Community
Comment
135: Shenley E Loop by Rob
July 06, 2023 · Community
A really lovely summer walk
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Comment
Hunton Bridge, Langleybury, Sarratt & Chipperfield by Rob
June 20, 2023 · Community
What a little gem of a walk, thank you
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Comment
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Find hikes in neighboring regions

Buckinghamshire Essex Cambridgeshire Bedfordshire

Discover other hikes within Hertfordshire

Broxbourne Dacorum East Hertfordshire Hertsmere North Hertfordshire Saint Albans Stevenage Three Rivers Watford Welwyn Hatfield

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