2 miles (3.2 km) with 50m of total ascent
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The River Beane on Walk 84: Waterford Heath Loop |
There is a free car park (at time of writing). We recommend you approach the car park on Vicarage Lane from the east and not the west. Click here for our suggested route.
Unlike most of our walks, this route doesn't pass close to a pub or a cafe, so take refreshments with you. There is an elevated picnic table three quarters of the way round affording great views. The nearest places to find refreshments are in Bengeo which is about a mile to the south of the start and finish point by road. They are The Greyhound (location - https://w3w.co/helps.blunt.calculating), The White Lion (location - https://w3w.co/golf.cabin.thick), and The Secret Garden cafe (location - https://w3w.co/define.knots.gift).
The starting point is two miles N from Hertford North station by road. We have another walk in this area. It's Walk 203: Waterford Heath South-West Loop.
Directions
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Map for Walk 84: Waterford Heath Loop Click here or on the map above for a larger version Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors There is an interactive map below the directions |
From the car park off Vicarage Lane (location - https://w3w.co/truly.tooth.shiny). You will notice two paths leading out of the car park, one to the NE and the other to the NW. Before you set off, study the map on the information board. At least half of the walk is within the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trusts Waterford Heath reserve.
1: Leave the car park in the NE corner (location - https://w3w.co/sudden.quite.enhancement) and follow the path through the woods and out to open heath land. This is the North Heath. Head NNW then N for 430m until you reach a junction in the track (location - https://w3w.co/fried.enjoy.stud).
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The route as it crossed North Heath |
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Take the path on the left as it leads down wooden steps to the River Beane |
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Bench along Stapleford footpath 2 Image courtesy of Gerry Gross |
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Continue alongside the River Beane and under the railway |
5: Turn left on this footpath, still Stapleford footpath 2, and follow it as it heads S alongside the river for 200m until you reach a fork in the path (location - https://w3w.co/vows.chin.vets).
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Looking back along the River Beane - continue with the river on your right |
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Turn left at the marker and follow the black arrow signs |
8: When you reach a footpath T-junction turn left, still on Hertford footpath 24, and head NE looking out for a marker post with yellow and black arrows. Here you turn left and follow the path as it bends round to the right and continues to South Heath.
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At the top of the hill, turn left and follow the black arrow signs |
Getting to the car park
We recommend you approach the car park on Vicarage Lane from the east and not the west.
If you approach from the west the lane is narrow with few passing places and there is a sharp bend over the railway bridge where we got trapped in a traffic jam caused by an articulated truck getting stuck. It took half an hour to clear.
A local resident told us it is far better to approach the car park via Bulls Mill Lane, Sacombe Road, then Vicarage Lane. They were right. We rerouted that way. I have created a map (below) to show the recommended route to the car park in green and the narrower route in red. Click on the map for a larger version.
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Recommended route to car park in green Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors |
I really wonderfull well thought out walk. The autumn colours are on their way and the last summer rays were on us today. There are some fantastic views as well as magical little woodland and river paths. There really is a great deal to love about this walk and an introduction to an area that is ripe for future exploring. Thank you. Daniel, Iwona, Sara and Casper.
ReplyDeleteHi Daniel, Iwona, Sara and Casper,
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. Ellie and I did, too. We wondered whether it was too short to add to the collection, but the mix of landscapes in such a compact area convinced us that it's a good addition, especially for those who may not be able to walk too far.
David
Enjoyed this walk. Quite a hill towards the end but luckily was in the shade.
ReplyDeleteYes, quite a climb, hope you enjoyed it.
DeleteWell what was supposed to be a short walk between showers turned into something else. At point 7 where you walk through Arch under railway line entrance is totally flooded/impossible . Therefore walked south down North Road left onto High Molewood and rejoined route at point 9 . Still enjoyed it and missed the rain . In case other walkers are thinking of this route now . Still missed the showers and thanks. Ian R .
ReplyDeleteWow, never known that to be flooded to the point of being impassable. Well done figuring out a workaround. Dave
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