Walk 256: Sandridge East Loop

4.2 miles (6.8 km) with 69m of total ascent

The view leading up to Hammonds Lane

This is the seventh walk in the collection that features the village of Sandridge north of St Albans and close to Heartwood Forest. This route explores the countryside to the east of the village over towards Symondshyde Great Wood. The return leg offers excellent views west towards Heartwood Forest.

Walk 245: Nomansland South Loop

6 miles (9.7 km) with 64m of total ascent

Sandridge bridleway 9 between points 14 & 15 in the walk

This is a great walk if you like wide open views and stretches of woodland. It starts on Nomansland Common then heads west before looping south then returning through Langley Wood in Heartwood Forest. It includes sections of The Ver Valley Walk and The Hertfordshire Way.

Walk 235: Heartwood Forest Six Woods Loop

4 miles (6.4km) with 77m of total ascent

One of the entrances to The Magical Wood at Heartwood Forest

This is a lovely walk through five wooded areas on the north-west side of Heartwood Forest and along the edge of a sixth. You will walk through Langley Wood, Round Wood, Pudler's Wood, Well Wood, and The Magical Wood, and along the edge of Pismire Spring.

Despite the title of the walk, only about a third is shaded. The rest follows footpaths through what were meadows and which are now rich in wildflowers.

Walk 164: Heartwood Forest Outer Loop

4.2 miles (6.8 km) with 84m of total ascent

The gate leading out of Langley Wood at point 3 in the walk

This walk follows the boundary to the south, west, and north of Heartwood Forest. It starts and finishes in the free car park before looping through Langley Wood (which is carpeted in bluebells in the spring), then follows a bridleway along the southern edge of the forest and then heads along the western edge to reach Nomansland Common. There are three pubs in Sandridge village. The Green Man, The Queens Head, and The Rose and Crown. There is also Heartwood Tearooms attached to the village store.

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 132: Sandridge South-West Loop

8.1 miles (13 km) with 131m of total ascent

A bridleway along the route

A walk from Heartwood Forest in Sandridge heading south through the fruit farm at Hawkswick Lodge, on down to Batchwood, across the golf course, up through Childwickbury, then back via the Magical Wood and Langley Wood. This walk offers a mix of walking through woodland, parkland, and across fields with wide open views on all sides. There is the option of refreshments at three pubs in Sandridge at the end of the walk.

Walk 90: Heartwood Forest Long Loop

4.9 miles (7.9 km) with 76m total ascent

The path between points 14 and 15

This is a picturesque and varied walk taking in a part of Heartwood Forest that attracts fewer walkers - probably because it’s further from the car park. The route, one of our favourites, passes through the eastern section of the forest which is an area rich in wildflowers and butterflies. In this area you will also find a communal orchard of native fruit trees, and an arboretum laid out with several distinct areas of native trees.