A grand loop through a historic home county — Hertfordshire Way

During the first stage, you hike across north Hertfordshire’s beautiful heath and farmland, visiting picturesque villages on your way from the town of Royston to the village of Wallington.



The Way officially starts at the Royce Stone, an ancient glacial erratic brought to the town from Northern England… read more

The second stage explores a lovely area of greenbelt between the towns of Stevenage, Letchworth and Hitchin. The countryside is delightful, the walking is easygoing and the villages visited en route are full of rural charm.



Return to where the first stage left off and follow the Way south into the village… read more

This is a beautiful stage that explores a succession of villages that occupy fine spots in distinctively Chiltern-esque surroundings, despite not being within the boundaries of the Chiltern Hills AONB. You discover a serene chalky river, a haunted chapel ruin, delightful timber-framed villages and more… read more

This wonderful stage snakes through the Hertfordshire countryside to finish in the historic city of St Albans, with its rich Roman heritage and stunning Norman cathedral. En route, you cross the River Lea, discover an Iron Age earthwork and skirt one of England’s newest woodlands.



From Ayot St Lawrence… read more

This stage begins by exploring Verulamium Park, the historic site of the major Roman town of Verulamium, before shadowing the River Ver upstream through the villages of Redbourn, Flamstead and finishing in Markyate.



You begin by following the Way through Verulamium Park. Verulamium was once the second… read more

During this stage, you enter the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a landscape characterised by vibrant wooded hills that hide charming towns and quaint villages within their folds. The stage takes you through the Ashridge Estate and past the grand Ashridge House before it ends… read more

This stage explores more of the vibrant Ashridge Woodlands, before descending to the Grand Union Canal at Berkhamsted. Here, you discover a historic castle ruin, before shadowing the canal to the stage’s end at the pleasant village of Bourne End.



From Tring Station, you ascend back into the glorious woodland… read more

This short stage between the villages of Bourne End and Kings Langley arcs through some beautiful greenbelt countryside. You discover a patchwork of woodland, heath and farmland scenery, which are a real treat in spring and summer, when they are at their most colourful.



From Bourne End, you stride out… read more

This stage ventures within the M25 London Orbital motorway, exploring large areas of protected greenbelt, such as the vibrant Bricket Wood Common, and some attractive commuter villages.



From Kings Langley, you venture east, crossing the M25 and skirting the northern edge of Abbots Langley through fields… read more

This stage heads east, skirting the northern reaches of Potters Bar to end in the village of Cuffley. En route you discover some gorgeous little villages, vibrant farmland and historic parkland.



To begin, you arc around Shenley and venture east along footpaths and minor roads, crossing under the M25 alongside… read more

Beyond Cuffley, the Way splits in two, with the original route taking you to Hertford via Essendon and the newer alternative taking a longer path via Broxbourne. This is the original route, which arcs through undulating countryside, taking you to the villages of Essendon, Little Berkhamsted and Bayford… read more

This lovely, rural stage follows the River Beane north to the historic Woodhall Park, before meandering east to the villages of Wadesmill and Thundbridge on either side of the River Rib.



From Hertford, head northwest, crossing both the Rivers Lea and Beane. The latter you then follow upstream for 4 miles… read more

This stage initially heads north alongside the River Ash to the ancient village of Much Hadham, before turning back on itself and arcing through Perry Green, home to a remarkable sculpture garden. From here, the Way ventures northeast and enters the historic market town of Bishop’s Stortford.



From Widford… read more

Once you leave Bishop’s Stortford behind, this is a delightfully rural stage that takes you across wonderful Hertfordshire countryside. There are no settlements of any great size, just charming hamlets and open pastures.



From the centre of Bishop’s Stortford, retrace your steps from the previous stage… read more

The final stage heads through rural East Hertfordshire, taking you through colourful fields and charming villages to where the Way ends at the Royce Stone in Royston.



Initially, head east and skirt the village of Great Hormead, before venturing north to the village of Anstey. Admire the Gothic Revival… read more

Beyond Cuffley, the Way splits in two, with the original route taking you to Hertford via Essendon and the newer alternative taking a longer path via Broxbourne.

This is the first stage of the alternative route, which takes you to the village of Goffs Oak before heading north and exploring the wonderful… read more

This is the second stage of the alternative route from Cuffley to Hertford, which takes you from Broxbourne, through the wildlife-rich Lea Valley to Hertford, making use of the New River Path, the Greenwich Meridian Trail and the Lea Valley Walk long-distance trails.



From Broxbourne, you follow the New… read more