Walk 225: Rushden North Loop

4.4 miles (7 km) with 72m of total ascent

The bridleway 24 between points 5 & 6

This walk explores the countryside N of the village of Rushden following well-defined paths over rolling countryside. It includes stretches of woodland and some lane walking. There are opportunities for refreshments at a pub and at a garden centre cafe along the way. Signs have been erected along some stretches asking dog owners to keep their pets on a lead. The starting point for the walk is 5.3 miles SE from Baldock Station by road.

Walk 224: Ayot St Lawrence West Loop

4.4 miles (7 km) with 65m of total ascent

Kimpton footpath 11 between points 3 & 4

This is a really nice walk exploring a section of the countryside W of Ayot St Lawrence. The route crosses rolling countryside with some great views N following well-defined paths and bridleways. Regular users of our walks will notice that the route revisits rights of way we have used before, but this time walked in the opposite direction.

The route is possible thanks to a landowner allowing a permissive path to link two public rights of way so that walkers can avoid walking alongside a road. The walk starts and finishes at The Brocket Arms in Ayot St Lawrence then passes The Cross Keys at Gustard Wood two thirds of the way round. There is also the possibility of a short detour close to the halfway point to visit The Boot at Kimpton.

Walk 223: Sherrardspark Wood Loop

3.7 miles (5.9 km) with 79m of total ascent

One of the footpaths through Sherrardspark Wood

This is a lovely walk exploring Sherrardspark Wood, a 75-hectares site of ancient woodland within walking distance of Welwyn Garden Station. The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Local Nature Reserve. There are many trails through the woodland making it a great place to just wander and explore. We have chosen some of the prettier paths and created a loop which we hope you enjoy.

Walk 222: Kimpton South-West Loop

5.3 miles (8.4km) with 105m of total ascent

Kimpton bridleway 5 after point 14

This walk explores the rolling countryside to the SW of Kimpton, offering wide, open views. You will cross two arable fields which, when we tested this walk in November, had not yet been reinstated after cultivation. The route also includes two lengths of lane walking where there are no pedestrian pavements, but both sections have grass verges where you can step to one side if traffic approaches, and both sections were quiet when we tested the route. The walk starts and finishes outside The Boot pub/restaurant on Kimpton High Street.

Walk 221: Patmore Heath East Loop

5.3 miles (8.5km) with 105m of total ascent

Bridleway approaching Farnham

This walk starts and finishes in the car park at Patmore Heath, a Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust nature reserve. It then heads E before crossing the Hertfordshire and Essex border then passing through the village of Farnham before looping back across rolling countryside offering some great views.

Walk 220: Stapleford North Loop

4.6 miles (7.4 km) with 85m of total ascent

Sacombe footpath 18 alongside the River Beane

For this walk we explored the countryside between a couple of existing routes in our collection in order to create a new loop. It involved walking along rights of way (ROW) we have not visited before, as well as revisiting some footpaths that we have featured in the past, but this time walked in reverse.

The result is a lovely route that has a bit of everything; woodland tracks, riverside paths, rolling countryside with great views, and the benefit of a short detour at the half-way point to Watton-at-Stone for those who want refreshments.

Walk 219: Furneux Pelham South Loop

5.1 miles (8.2 km) with 106m of total ascent

The footpath turning at point 10

This is a really lovely walk which we have added to our personal favourites list. It starts in the village of Furneux Pelham then passes through woodland and crosses arable fields before reaching the Patmore Heath nature reserve close to The Catherine Wheel pub/restaurant at Gravesend, Albury about a third of the way round. The countryside is undulating and there are great wide open views. The Brewery Tap pub restaurant at Furneux Pelham is close to the start/finish point.

The starting point for this walk is 5.2 miles ESE from Buntingford town centre by road. We didn't cross any livestock fields on this walk.

Hertfordshire Walker wins two awards

The connecting people with the countryside award

The countryside charity, CPRE Hertfordshire, has awarded Hertfordshire Walker the Gold Standard award 2022. The site also won an award for "connecting people with the countryside and their local green spaces".

Walk 218: Dane End South-East Loop

5.7 miles (9.2 km) with 128m of total ascent

The route between points 14 & 15

This is great walk if you don't mind quite a bit of up and down; the reward is being treated to some wide open views across the rolling north Hertfordshire countryside. The climb along a bridleway from Dane End to Whitehill is one of the steepest in our collection of walks, but the panoramic views when you reach the top are worth it.

The route runs along the edge of a golf course and crosses one fairway. There are some signs along the way asking dog owners to keep their pets on a lead. You will pass livestock fields.

Walk 217: Bramfield South-East Loop

3.2 miles (5.2 km) with 29m of total ascent

Bramfield bridleway 9 between points 5 & 6

This is our fourth walk from Bramfield, this time exploring the countryside to the SE of the village. We have created this route in response to a request in our recent survey for shorter and flatter walks. The route crosses several arable fields. Some of the paths will get ploughed over at certain times of the year and walking can be difficult until the rights of way are reinstated. The walk passes The Grandison pub/restaurant close to the finish. To see all our walks from Bramfield click here.

Walk 216: Puckeridge West Loop

4.7 miles (7.6 km) with 84m of total ascent

Standon footpath 27 between points 12 & 13

This walk explores the open countryside west of Puckeridge following well-defined rights of way offering great views. You will cross livestock fields, and there are signs along the way asking dog owners to keep their pets on leads. The starting point is from the car park in Puckeridge village which is seven miles NNE from Ware Station by road. The route involves crossing the A10 Puckeridge bypass twice.