Walk 180: Cole Green North-West Loop

4.8 miles (7.8 km) with 52m of total ascent

The view after crossing the bridge over the A414

This walk follows The Cole Green Way, a former branch line between Hertford and Welwyn Garden City which is now a long-distance recreational route. Our route starts at the former Cole Green Station, then heads W before looping round through Panshanger Park. There is a pub, The Cowper Arms, close to the start of the walk. Be sure to check opening times.

Walk 175: Hertford to Cole Green

5.5 miles (8.8 km) with 89m of total ascent

The Cole Green Way

We mapped this route following a request on Twitter for a walk that is buggy friendly and involves a pub. The person who contacted us lives in Hertford. So we just put this walk together for any buggy pushers who live in Hertford and want a flat route with the option of refreshments at the start, middle point, and end.

The walk can be enjoyed one-way if you can get someone to pick you up at The Cowper Arms (2.6 miles), or, if you have the stamina, turn back from the pub and return the same way (5.5 miles). There is a pub, The Black Horse (location - https://w3w.co/drives.face.hammer) near the start of the walk. It has a lovely beer garden at the back and is a CAMRA freehouse.

Walk 149: Cole Green Way Loop

5.6 miles (9km) with 93m of total ascent

Hertingfordbury footpath 1 between points 5 & 6

This walk includes elements from two earlier walks in this series that both share a 2-mile stretch of The Cole Green Way, a former branch line between Hertford and Welwyn Garden City which is now a long-distance recreational route. The other walks are Walk 35: Letty Green Loop (3 miles) and Walk 93: Grotto Wood Loop (4.3 miles). This walk, which is the longest of the three, follows a footpath and part of a bridleway which are not featured in the other walks and which were both ablaze with wild flowers when we tested the route in July.

Walk 93: Grotto Wood Loop

4.3 miles (6.85 km) with 71m total ascent

The Cole Green Way - route of a disused railway track

This is an easy walk along the disused Hertford to Welwyn Junction railway track and through farmland. You pass a lake surrounded by rushes - birdwatchers should take their binoculars. And you can explore the Historic England scheduled monument, the Baroque gardens at Grotto Wood. There are some muddy stretches, so good footwear and a walking stick are recommended.

Walk 35: Letty Green Loop

3 miles (4.8 km) with 27m total ascent

The Cole Green Way

A short circular walk which starts along Cole Green Way, which is the route of the former Hertford to Luton and Dunstable branch line via Welwyn Junction. The walk starts and finishes at what was Cole Green Station and goes through woodland, along lanes and back following the route of the track to the car park. There is a pub, The Cowper Arms, close to the start/finish point.