Walk 291: Stapleford West Loop

2.8 miles (4.5 km) with 38m of total ascent

Stapleford footpath 4 between points 7 & 8

This short walk south and west of Stapleford includes public rights of way that have not featured in our collection before. The wide open views to the west of the River Beane are excellent. There is also a lovely stretch of the route alongside the River Beane which those who are working through our collection of walks might recognise.

Walk 284: Rabley Heath North Loop

2.5 miles (4 km) with 21m of total ascent

The view from Codicote bridleway 25 at point 7

This is our second walk from Rabley Heath and is one of the shortest in the Hertfordshire Walker collection. It follows well-defined footpaths, bridleways, and quiet country lanes across some lovely countryside. The walk starts and finishes at The Robin Hood & Little John pub at Rabley Heath then passes close to The Lytton Arms which involves a 525m detour at point 6 in the walk.

Walk 273: Radwell Meadows East Loop

1.8 miles (2.9 km) with 27m of total ascent

The footpath between points 9 & 10

This is a lovely short walk for the summer months when the fields at Radwell Meadows Country Park are ablaze with wildflowers, and butterflies follow you along the footpaths. It's ideal for those who like shorter walks with minimal up and down. The route loops through the meadows in the River Ivel valley crossing the river twice.

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.

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 238: Hertford Heath South-East Loop

2.7 miles (4.3km) with 47m of total ascent

Hertford Heath bridleway 4 between points 16 & 17

This short loop follows both public rights of way and other trails across Hertford Heath, Golding's Wood, and Much Wood. Those with children might enjoy exploring 'Hertford Heath Fairy Trail' between points 5 & 6 on the walk. The walk starts and finishes at The Goat pub/restaurant and passes close to The College Arms.

Walk 234: Northaw Great Wood Red Trail

0.75 miles (1.18km) with 28m of total ascent

The red trail at Northaw Great Wood

This is one of the shortest walks on Hertfordshire Walker and is one of three in Northaw Great Wood. It's ideal for those who are unable to walk a great distance and need easy access to the trails from a car park. However the red trail, although short, does involve some up and down with a total ascent of 28m. Some of the paths can be muddy after rain. The route has plenty of shade if you want to escape the heat.

Walk 233: Northaw Great Wood Blue Trail

1.45 miles (2.33km) with 43m of total ascent

A sign post along the blue trail in Northaw Great Wood

The blue trail at Northaw Great Wood is ideal for those who want a shady walk with easy access from a car park. It loops inside the longer yellow trail and circles the shorter red trail. All three trails are signposted but not all forks are marked, which is why we have created separate walks for all three with GPX navigation files which you can use to follow the routes on a compatible mobile device.

Walk 230: Welwyn Garden City Short Loop

2 miles (3.3 km) with 42m total ascent

The Ayot Greenway through Sherrardspark Wood

We've had many requests for walks in the shade and for walks on the flat, so we decided to add this short walk to try to meet both needs. The route starts and finishes in the car park at Campus West in Welwyn Garden City then heads west along the eastern section of Ayot Greenway through Sherrardspark Wood, which is one of Hertfordshire's largest and most important oak and hornbeam woodlands, before returning the same way.

Walk 204: Braughing North-West Loop

2.3 miles (3.7 km) with 62m of total ascent

The River Quin from the footbridge at point 2

This is a short walk from the village of Braughing which loops round the River Quin, starting and finishing outside The Axe & Compasses on The Street. We have added this walk to the collection following requests in our recent survey for shorter routes. The starting point for this walk is 4.5 miles SSE from Buntingford town centre by road.

Walk 196: South Mimms North Loop

2.8 miles (4.5 km) with 71m of total ascent

North Mymms restricted byway 3 between points 2 & 3

This short walk starts at The Black Horse in South Mimms then heads through the beautiful Mymmshall Wood and Hawkshead Wood before looping back across fields offering wide open views across south Hertfordshire. There is 630m of lane walking at the start, but it's a quiet lane and we didn't encounter any traffic. You will cross one field where horses were grazing when we tested the walk, but they didn't bother us. You will be aware of noise from the M25 and the A1(M) at certain points. The starting point is 2.3 miles W from Potters Bar station by road.

Walk 190: Whitwell North Loop

2.75 miles (4.4 km) with 89m of total ascent

The River Mimram, crossed twice during the walk

This short walk explores the countryside north of Whitwell, crossing the River Mimram twice and visiting the hamlet of St Paul's Walden where you can stop for refreshments at The Strathmore Arms. There is also a pub, The Bull Inn, and Emily's Tea Shop in Whitwell village. This walk has been created in response to a number of followers of Hertfordshire Walker who asked for shorter routes.

Walk 189: Datchworth Short Loop

2.3 miles (3.7 km) with 13m of total ascent

The view between points 4 & 5

This is a short loop from Datchworth Green which we have created in response to a number of followers of Hertfordshire Walker who asked for shorter routes. A few of the rights of way used in this walk also feature in some of our longer routes but walked in reverse, so the views will be different. This walk involves a stretch along a country lane, but it is quiet and there are opportunities to step aside in the case of traffic.

Walk 162: Heartwood Forest Short Loop

3 miles (4.7km) with 55m of total ascent

A footpath through Heartwood Forest

This short walk explores some of the woodlands that are part of Heartwood Forest, the largest continuous new native forest in England, which is managed by The Woodland Trust. Those who visit this area on a regular basis, as we do, will notice how quickly it has matured. This has been a good autumn for enjoying the spread of colour. There are some great paths weaving through the forest. It has a free car park, and there are various information boards scattered throughout the area. There are no toilets. Children will enjoy the 'Magical Meander' where they are encouraged to find wooden carvings along the way. We have a downloadable PDF of the route below.

Walk 138: Titmore Green Loop

3 miles (4.7 km) with 52m of total ascent

Wooded bridleway shortly after point 7

This is a great walk if you enjoy wide open views across rolling countryside and walking along wooded byways. The walk starts and finishes at the Hermit of Redcoats pub in Titmore Green and follows footpaths and bridleways to the south. Don’t be put off by the proximity of the A1(M), you can’t see it and the noise isn’t bothersome.

Walk 101: Colney Heath Loop

2.4 miles (3.9 km) with 32m total ascent

Willows Lakes

This is a short walk across Colney Heath, along the River Colne, and alongside Willows Lakes (renamed Albans Lakes in 2018), where anyone who enjoys bird-watching could be in for a treat depending on the season, particularly between points 5 and 6. There is free parking at the start and finish, and a pub, The Crooked Billet, in Colney Heath, a short diversion from the route. This walk is a shorter version of another walk on this site, Colney Heath South Loop.

Walk 84: Waterford Heath Loop

2 miles (3.2 km) with 50m of total ascent

The River Beane close to point 10

This is a short walk through several fascinating geological areas including an old quarry which is now a nature reserve which features marshland alongside a rare chalk-bed river and deep woodland. You will pass 'Breaking the Mould' a stone and iron sculpture by Andrew Mckeown, one of 21 around the UK.

Walk 81: Wormley Wood Loop

2.5 miles (4 km) with 76m total ascent

 

A great walk for those hot sunny days when you want to escape the sun and enjoy a good ramble in the shade. Plenty of up and down along the way, with loads of bridges, elevated walkways and stairs. When we walked the route in August there were quite a few midges and flies bugging us, but we always carry insect repellant and didn't get bitten. Unlike most of our walks this one doesn't pass by a pub, so take refreshments with you. There is a picnic table at the end just before you reach the car park. Wormley Wood is managed by the Woodland Trust.

Walk 79: Panshanger Park Short Loop

3 miles (4.77 km) with 48m total ascent

One of the lakes at Panshanger Park

A great amount of effort has been put into the development of Panshanger Park which was once a series of quarries but is now a beautiful nature reserve with the River Mimram, which is one of only 180 chalk rivers in the world, running through the site. There are several picturesque lakes, well sign-posted woodland trails, and an area for picnics. We have six walks that feature Panshanger Park.