Walks from Luton

Recommended: Wide open views; good views. A fairly hilly route, mostly on field-edge paths and good tracks across arable land and with some overgrown stretches and short sections on quiet roads and verges. The Luton end has rather a lot of residential roads. Good views from the higher ground. Follows the Chiltern Way Extension for a significant distance. Whitwell has an interesting tower.

Time: 5h–10h

Lunch: There is a pub at St Paul's Walden, roughly mid-route.

Warnings: Crossing London Road (B656) needs a little care. Some paths are a little overgrown, occasionally between barbed-wire fences.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Lovely views. Begins with a long uphill road out of Luton, then transitions through farm tracks, common land, narrow paths and footpaths across open fields and small woods. Steep in places with steps and kissing gates; paths are generally good. Some short road walking in quiet places and plus an unavoidable roadside stretch into Hitchin. Expect fields of barley and skylarks; field paths shift as crops change and fields are ploughed.

Time: 4h–8h

1 lunch spot: the Red Lion

Warnings: Field paths can be narrow through crops and steep in places; expect kissing gates and some steps. An unavoidable roadside walk leads into the town centre at the Hitchin end.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An easy, well-surfaced route mostly along the off-road Upper Lea Valley Way (a combined cycle and footpath), passing woodland and agricultural fields with countryside views and after about 2km of urban walking out of Luton. Tarmac all the way — good for wheels but hard underfoot — with some minor inclines and a few cycle-barrier pinch points. Follows the Upper Lea Valley Way; an information board at the highest point notes local connections including a memorial to Eric Morecambe. No refreshment opportunities between the town centres.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Lunch: No refreshment opportunities between the town centres, but it's not a long route.

Warnings: A quarter urban.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Pavements out of Flitwick, then field paths, bridleways and old unsurfaced lanes through downland and woods, with several muddy sections and stretches that are becoming overgrown. Climbs fairly steeply past an old quarry; ends on pavements through housing. A few steps and gates and kissing gates but no stiles. Follows a Chiltern Way extension for part of its length. Barton-le-Clay, roughly mid-route, has plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants.

Time: 5h30–11h30

Lunch: Barton-le-Clay, roughly mid-route, has plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants.

Warnings: Several field-edge paths are overgrown; long trousers advised against nettles in summer. The A6 crossing has no lights but good sight lines and a central refuge. A short stretch of road walking on Harlington Lane has a disconcerting blind bend. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.