Walk 262: Bunkers Park South Loop

3 miles (4.9 km) with 67m of total ascent

The bridleway between points 8 & 9

This is the shorter of two walks that start and finish in Bunkers Park, south of Hemel Hempstead. The route passes through two excellent nature reserves. Unlike most of our routes this walk doesn't pass close to a pub or cafe, so you might want to take some refreshments.

Walk 261: Essendon Short Loop

2.3 miles (3.7 km) with 53m of total ascent

Essendon footpath 13

This short walk from the village of Essendon has been added to the collection following requests in our Hertfordshire Walker Facebook group for more walks that are less than three miles long. It is one of several routes that start and finish in Essendon, and it follows paths that feature in some of our other walks but walked in a different direction and combination.

You will cross a golf course using public rights of way including walking across four fairways, so anyone who is nervous about flying golf balls should probably give this one a miss.

Walk 260: Bedmond North-West Loop

5.7 miles (9.1 km) with 149m of total ascent

The path through Long Deans near the end of the walk

This is a wonderful walk which crosses rolling countryside on well-marked footpaths and bridleways. It winds through two beauty spots Bunkers Park and Long Deans and passes Blackwater Wood which was carpeted in bluebells when we tested the walk in April 2024.

Walk 259: Tewin South Loop

2.8 miles (4.5 km) with 57m of total ascent

Footpath through a bluebell wood between points 4 & 5

This is a lovely walk south of the village of Tewin. It goes through a section of woodland that is carpeted in bluebells in the spring. The route is one of our new shorter walks created following requests from users of Hertfordshire Walker for routes that are less than five miles long. There is a cafe at the start and finish point and a pub close by.

Walk 258: Wheathampstead South-East Loop

7.7 miles (12.3 km) with 114m of total ascent

Bluebells along Devil's Dyke between points 30 & 31

This is a lovely varied route that includes riverside and woodland walking as well as stretches across open rolling countryside. It involves several rights of way which are included in other walks in our collection but links them in a new loop which passes along footpath and bridleways not visited before. There is a small amount of lane walking. You will pass the '3 Brewers' brewery along the way which has a shop and a bar that are open at certain times of the week. See details in the directions below.

Walk 257: Thundridge East Loop

6 miles (9.7 km) with 70m of total ascent

The River Rib between points 21 & 22

This walk explores the countryside east of Thundridge and south of the River Rib. It shares a section of bridleway that features in Walk 91: Wadesmill East Loop and also passes the remains of the medieval church of St Mary and All Saints.

Walk 256: Sandridge East Loop

4.2 miles (6.8 km) with 69m of total ascent

The view leading up to Hammonds Lane

This is the seventh walk in the collection that features the village of Sandridge north of St Albans and close to Heartwood Forest. This route explores the countryside to the east of the village over towards Symondshyde Great Wood. The return leg offers excellent views west towards Heartwood Forest.

Walk 255: Knebworth North-West Short Loop

5.4 miles (8.7 km) with 101m of total ascent

Knebworth footpath 10 between points 4 and 5

This is a shortened version of a longer route across rolling countryside north-west of Knebworth. The original route, Walk 199: Knebworth North-West Long Loop, is 7.6 miles (12.3km) with 153m of total ascent.

Both routes follow well-defined paths crossing open farmland and passing through woodland. The walk starts and finishes at Knebworth train station and is one of several in our collection of linear walks which have been added for those who want to access walks via public transport rather than taking a car.

Walk 254: Shenley Short Loop

4.8 miles (7.7 km) with 97m of total ascent

Shenley bridleway 38 soon after the start of the walk

This is a shorter version of an existing walk on the site which we have decided to publish separately for those who prefer walks that are less than five miles long. The original is Walk 136: Shenley West Loop, which is 6.6 miles long. This version cuts out some residential and main road walking, although it also misses a couple of stretches of really nice countryside which we enjoyed.

Walk 253: Peter's Green South-East Loop

5.2 miles (8.4 km) with 71m of total ascent

The footpath between points 12 & 13 in the walk

This walk covers the rolling countryside west of Kimpton and north of Batford Springs in the north-west of Hertfordshire. The route follows public rights-of-way not previously included in the collection as well as paths that feature in other loops in the area. You will walk along well-defined byways and footpaths and down quiet country lanes. At one point you will dip into Bedfordshire before returning to the starting point at Peter's Green.

Walk 252: Gustard Wood South-East Loop

3.7 miles (5.9 km) with 44m of total ascent

Wheathampstead footpath 42

This is a lovely walk exploring the countryside to the south-east of Gustard Wood near Wheathampstead. We added this short route to the collection because it follows a number of public rights of way not visited by any of our other loops that feature Gustard Wood.