Best walks near Cambridge by train
Cambridgeshire · East Anglia | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in East Anglia and plan your next day of green.
Waterbeach Station to Ely Station (Cambridgeshire)
9m direct from Cambridge.
Tough: 22km. Gentle ascents. 5h30–9h30.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Ely Cathedral, Oliver Cromwell's House, and Ely itself.
Lunch stops: the Five Miles Inn (2h–3h30 in), or Wren Cafe (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Cutter Inn, the Drayman's Son, the Kings Arms, the Minster Tavern, or the Prince Albert.
Bishop's Stortford Station to Sawbridgeworth Station (Hertfordshire)
30m direct from Cambridge.
14km. Flat terrain. 4h–6h30.
Highlights: Thorley Wash Nature Reserve.
Lunch stops: the Three Tuns, or Full of Beans Cafe (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk reward: the Moorhen.
Newport Station to Audley End Station (Essex)
15m direct from Cambridge.
14km. Moderate ascents. 4h–6h30.
Spoiled by a long trek along a busy road near Audley End.
Highlights: Saffron Walden.
Lunch stops in Saffron Walden: the Temeraire, Waffle, the Courtyard Tearoom, the Kings Arms, or the Eight Bells.
End-of-walk reward: Audley End House and Gardens.
Finsbury Park Station to Harringay Green Lanes Station (Middlesex)
1h direct from Cambridge.
Easy: 1km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Field and woodland paths.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Drayton Park Station to Finsbury Park Station (Middlesex)
1h direct from Cambridge.
Easy: 1km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Ely Station Circular via Ely Cathedral (Cambridgeshire)
15m direct from Cambridge.
18km. 4h.
Open fenland, flat drained farmland, long straight tree-lined farm tracks, hedge-lined meadows, river banks, dykes and catchwater drains, quayside, and historic city. Exposed river banks.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Great Chesterford Station to Newport Station (Cambridgeshire)
15m direct from Cambridge.
17km. 4h.
Rolling Essex farmland, grassy field edges, small woods, river valleys, historic market town, parkland, and pylons over crop fields. Can be muddy.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Audley End Station Circular via the Cottage (pargeted house, Wendens Ambo) (Essex)
15m direct from Cambridge.
23km. 5h30.
Gently rolling chalky uplands, farmland, woods and copses, green lanes, field boundaries, and pretty villages with thatched cottages and pargeted houses.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Baldock Station Circular (Hertfordshire)
30m direct from Cambridge.
19km. 5h.
Vast flat Hertfordshire arable farmland, open field edges, big skies, gentle hills, small historic villages, and patches of woodland. Can be muddy.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Arlesey Station to Letchworth Garden City Station (Bedfordshire)
30m direct from Cambridge.
25km. 5h30.
Chalk stream meadows, field boundaries, hilltop village, open farmland with far views, green lanes, lavender farm, and Garden City.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Hitchin Station Circular (Hertfordshire)
30m direct from Cambridge.
25km. 6h.
Chilterns chalk ridge, farm tracks, field boundaries, grassy lanes, woods, steep chalk downland, flat-bottomed valleys, alder and willow fen woodland, chalk river, and historic market town. Can be hilly.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Harlow Town Station Circular (Essex)
45m direct from Cambridge.
14km.
Flat, easy farmland, open fields, riverside, and quiet villages. Can be muddy.