Walk 144: Hunsdon North Loop

5.7 miles (9.1 km) with 250ft of ascent

The view from Widford footpath 8 just before point 10

This walk explores the countryside north of Hunsdon and includes sections from two other walks in this series. They are Walk 96: Hunsdon West Loop (points 11 to the end), and Walk 105: Hunsdon East Loop, (points 1 to 3). As with the other walks, this route starts in the village of Hunsdon where there are two pubs, The Crown and The Fox & Hounds.

Walk 143: Wheathampstead North Loop

7.2 miles (11.4 km) with 380ft of ascent

The bridleway between points 6 & 7

This is one of our favourite walks in the collection. It starts in the village of Wheathampstead which has several cafes and restaurants and three pubs. There is a car park which, at the time of writing, is free of charge. The route follows the Lea Valley Walk before following a disused railway branch line, the Ayot Greenway, then looping round to the north passing close to two more pubs before returning to Wheathampstead.

Public right of way blocked with electric fencing

Guard dog warnings on Epping Green footpath

Public right of way in Epping Green blocked with electric fencing

A section of a public footpath in Epping Green, Hertfordshire has been blocked with electric fencing.

A hand-written sign diverts walkers over uneven ground thick with nettles, thistles and brambles.

Signs have been put up along the right of way warning of guard dogs.

Walk 142: Nuthampstead SW Loop

6.5 mi (10.5 km) 355ft of ascent

Nuthampstead footpath 13 between points 10 & 11

This walk starts in Nuthampstead, which, during WWII, was the home of the 55th Fighter Group and subsequently the 398th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces. B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers were flown from here on missions over occupied Europe.

From Nuthampstead the route heads S to the village of Anstey. The name Anstey apparently means a narrow, one-way footpath, and there will be plenty of these along the way. You then visit Barkway, which is listed in the Domesday book as Birchwig, meaning Birch Way. The village has a number of 15th and 16th century properties. The route passes three pubs.

Walk 141: Nuthampstead NW Loop

7.7 miles (12.4km) with 440 ft of ascent

The route between points 8 and 9

This walk starts in the village of Nuthampstead. During WWII the area had an airbase which was home to the 55th Fighter Group and subsequently the 398th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces. Our route heads NW through Barkway, which is mentioned in The Domesday book as Birchwig, meaning Birch Way. The village has a number of buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The walk then passes through Newsells Park before heading E and returning via the village of Barley.

Walk 140: Ashwell West Loop

6.9 miles (11 km) and 300 ft of ascent

The bridleway heading towards Arbury Banks Hill Fort

This is an excellent walk for those who want wide open views across unspoilt countryside. The walk passes by or close to four pubs, and you will walk alongside the site of Arbury Banks, a series of iron-age hillfort. There is little shelter along the way, so this might not be great in bright sunlight, heavy rain, or howling gales.

Walk 139: Chipperfield South Loop

4.4 miles (7.1 km) with 312ft (95m) of ascent

The pond at Chipperfield Common on the return leg

This circular walk heads south from Chipperfield Common through woodland and over fields with good views, then on to Sarratt and back via Commonwood Common. The route passes close to six pubs and follows good footpaths and bridleways. There is one 80m stretch along a fairly busy lane, but there is a small pavement for walkers to get out of the way of traffic. We noticed several signs at fields with livestock advising walkers to keep their dogs on the lead.