Walk 111: Gustard Wood E Loop

Parkland, woodland, and two pubs

4.3 miles (7 km) - 40m of ascent

The bridleway between points 1 and 2 belowImage by Hertfordshire Walker released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A figure of eight walk from Ayot St Lawrence to Gustard Wood and back crossing parkland, farmland and woodland. The route is mainly flat with good paths along the way. There is a pub at the start and finish point and one at the halfway point. The route passes two historic churches and Shaw's Corner, the home of the late George Bernard Shaw.

Walk 110: Willows Lakes

Lakes, birdlife, wildflowers and butterflies

4.5 miles (7 km) 50m of ascent

This is a perfect walk for people who are interested in birdwatching and enjoy native wildflowers. It follows the River Colne and meanders around the surrounding lakes - some created in abandoned quarries. There are still some quarries being excavated, and you will cross a conveyor belt as work continues, but others are now beautiful lakes edged with rushes and banks laden with wildflowers.

If you are a birdwatcher take binoculars because you are in for a treat. And there are loads of butterflies in the summer months. We have marked the maps with the best birdwatching spots with blue camera icons.

Walk 109: Aldenham Loop

Farmland, parkland, and a river valley

4.7 miles (7.5 km)

A circular route in the Colne valley to the north of Aldenham taking in some old byways through farmland, paths through parkland, and a stretch alongside the River Colne with opportunities for dogs and children to paddle.

Walk 108: Preston East Loop

Woodland, open fields, two pubs

4.7 miles (7.5 km) - 120m of ascent

Preston footpath 1 mentioned in point 2 below

Image by Hertfordshire Walker released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

An undulating walk to the east of Preston taking in some old woodland, following some well-defined paths and tracks, and crossing fields with wide open views. You pass close to two pubs, The Red Lion at Preston and The Rusty Gun at Chapelfoot, pass the ruins of the 14-century Minsden Chapel, and visit Hill End Chalk Pit at the end of the walk.

Walk 107: Preston W Loop

Great paths, rolling countryside, open views 

5.5 miles (8.9km) - 106m of ascent

The footpath between points 2 and 3 below
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Excellent walk along well-defined paths over rolling north Hertfordshire countryside and through some pretty hamlets. Quite a lot of up and down. Ends by cutting through Wain Wood, a site of scientific interest. The walk starts and ends close to The Red Lion pub/restaurant which, when we were there served us a superb pint of real ale and some delicious food.

Walk 106: Much Hadham SE Loop

Undulating walk with some steep ups and downs

5.8 miles (9.3km) with 110m of ascent

This is a great walk for anyone who wants some fairly steep ups and downs and likes wide-open views. The tracks are well-signposted and good underfoot, although they can be muddy after rain. At one point you cross a field with rare-breed cattle grazing, including a bull. But a notice on the gate describes the cattle as “well-tempered and docile”, and they ignored us when we walked across their field.

Walk 105: Hunsdon East Loop

A gentle walk mainly on the flat

5.3 miles (8.5km) 54m of ascent

This is a great walk for anyone who can't manage ups and downs or climbing over stiles. It’s mainly on the flat and along wide tracks. Ideal for anyone pushing a buggy. You will be following bridleways through open fields and footpaths through woodland. There are a couple of footbridges along the route, but few obstacles.  The walk circles the largely defunct Hunsdon Airfield, used by the RAF between 1941 and 1945 under the name of RAF Hunsdon.