Walks near Hertford by train
Hertfordshire · South East England
Stations: Hertford East · Hertford North
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Hertford and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Hertford.
Cambridge Circular via Grantchester (Cambridgeshire)
1 hour from Hertford North, with one change.
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.
Time: 3h30–6h30
4 lunch spots: Grantchester (1h30–3h in) — the Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester, the Red Lion, the Rupert Brooke, or the Blue Ball Inn
1 end-of-walk reward: the Panton Arms
Warnings: A quarter urban.
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Bishop's Stortford to Harlow Town (Hertfordshire)
30 minutes from Hertford East, with one change.
Recommended
Waterway: four fifths along the River Stort Navigation.
Time: 4h–7h30
2 lunch spots: the Three Tuns, or Full of Beans Cafe (2h–4h in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Moorhen
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Reverse direction: the Saturday Walkers Club and Slow Ways (inc. GPX).
Cambridge to Cambridge North (Cambridgeshire)
1 hour from Hertford North, with one change.
A short city and riverside walk linking Cambridge's two stations, taking in some of the best-known views of the ancient colleges, punting on the upper river, and riverside paths across the commons where college and town crews race their traditional 'bumps'.
Time: 3h
Warnings: Shared with cyclists along most of the route, so watch out for bikes.
Walk details: Mid Anglia Rail Passengers Association (PDF).
Shelford to Cambridge (Cambridgeshire)
1 hour from Hertford North, with one change.
Flat walk through traditional villages and along the River Cam, finishing through Grantchester Meadows into Cambridge city centre.
Great Shelford: Traditional village with thatched cottages and a striking parish church.
Little Shelford: Village with period architecture.
Hauxton Mill: Historic watermill on the River Cam.
Trumpington Meadows: Open meadow nature reserve on the edge of Cambridge.
Byron's Pool: Wild-swimming spot on the Cam named after the poet Lord Byron.
The Old Vicarage (Rupert Brooke's House): Former home of poet Rupert Brooke, with sculptures in the grounds.
Grantchester Meadows: Open riverside meadows along the Cam between Cambridge and Grantchester.
King's College: World-famous University of Cambridge college with its renowned chapel.
The Orchard Tea Garden
Time: 3h30–7h30
2 lunch spots: the Red Lion, or the Orchard Tea Garden
Warnings: Busy A10 road crossing; shared cyclist path before the M11 bridge.
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Watton-at-Stone Circular via Woodhall Estate (Hertfordshire)
5 minutes direct from Hertford North.
Rolling Hertfordshire hills, farmland, woods, hedgerows and riverside path along the River Beane.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
St Margarets Circular via Hollycross Lake (Hertfordshire)
8 minutes direct from Hertford East.
Rolling East Hertfordshire countryside, wheat fields, woods, ancient tracks, green lanes, river valleys along Ash, Rib and Lea rivers and scenic nature reserve.
Time: 5h30
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Broxbourne Circular via Waltham Abbey (Hertfordshire)
15 minutes direct from Hertford East.
Flat river floodplain, towpaths, water meadows, lakeside paths, woodland strips, farmland fields and open parkland.
Time: 4h
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Cheshunt Circular via Royal Gunpowder Mills (Hertfordshire)
15 minutes direct from Hertford East.
Flat river floodplain, gravel-pit lakes, water meadows, country park sculptures, farmland and a market town.
Time: 3h30
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Knebworth Circular via Graffidge Wood (Hertfordshire)
30 minutes from Hertford North, with one change.
Undulating Hertfordshire countryside, woodland, large open arable fields, quiet lanes, deer park and pretty villages.
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Hitchin Circular via Pegsdon Hills (Hertfordshire)
30 minutes from Hertford North, with one change.
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.
Time: 6h
Warnings: Can be hilly.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Harlow Town Circular via Hunsdon (Essex)
30 minutes from Hertford East, with one change.
Flat, easy farmland, open fields, riverside and quiet villages.
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Welwyn Garden City Circular via Ayot St Lawrence (Hertfordshire)
30 minutes from Hertford North, with one change.
Rolling Hertfordshire countryside, landscaped parkland, arable fields, picturesque village and Gothic church ruin.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).