Best walks near Ely 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.
Cambridge Station Circular via Grantchester (Cambridgeshire)
15m direct from Ely.
Easy: 12km, flat terrain. 3h30–5h30.
Beginner-friendly: A straightforward walk along the River Cam with many lunch options in Granchester. Within Cambridge itself, feel free to wander about randomly rather than following the route — there’s plenty to appreciate.
Highlights: King's College Chapel, Fitzwilliam Museum, Hobson's Conduit Monument, Cambridge, and Cambridge itself.
Lunch stops in Grantchester (1h30–2h30 in): the Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester, the Red Lion, the Rupert Brooke, or the Blue Ball Inn.
End-of-walk reward: the Panton Arms.
Stamford Station Circular via Easton on the Hill (Northamptonshire)
45m from Ely, with one change.
18km. Gentle ascents. 5h–8h.
Old railway, Roman road, park grounds, and meadows.
Highlights: Burghley House.
Lunch stop: Burghley House café (2h30–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Birch Tree Cafe, the Exeter Arms, the Easton on the Hill Village, the Blue Bell Pub, the George, or the Bull and Swan.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Bishop's Stortford Station to Sawbridgeworth Station (Hertfordshire)
1h from Ely, with one change.
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)
45m direct from Ely.
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.
Shelford Station to Cambridge Station (Cambridgeshire)
15m direct from Ely.
23km. 6h.
Flat farmland, permissive river paths, open fields, light woodland, and historic city centre streets. High tarmac count.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Audley End Station Circular via the Cottage (pargeted house, Wendens Ambo) (Essex)
45m direct from Ely.
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.
Great Chesterford Station to Newport Station (Cambridgeshire)
30m from Ely, with one change.
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.
Baldock Station Circular (Hertfordshire)
45m from Ely, with one change.
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)
45m from Ely, with one change.
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.
Huntingdon Station Circular via Portholme Meadow (Huntingdonshire)
1h from Ely, with one change.
19km. 4h.
Flat riverside paths, water meadows, farmland tracks, tarmac lanes, nature reserve, and market town streets. Prone to flooding.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Hitchin Station Circular (Hertfordshire)
1h from Ely, with one change.
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)
1h from Ely, with one change.
14km.
Flat, easy farmland, open fields, riverside, and quiet villages. Can be muddy.