Best walks to or from Hertford

Watton-at-[Stone Station](/train-stations/south-east-england/hertfordshire/watton-at-stone) to Hertford East Station

Pretty views on the canal and at the church in Stapleford. An easy-to-navigate, pleasant country walk through beautiful countryside, following the River Beane chalk stream and water meadows for much of the way, with hedgerows, views of a stately house and a few sections of roadside walking along the A119 (paved verges throughout). Mud in winter is still manageable. Follows the River Beane, a chalk stream (one of only around 210 in the world). Tons of wildlife and plenty of park benches. The river has been restored to natural banks. Watton-at-Stone has a Budgens for local baked goods.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hertford East Station to Ware Station

the river walk and views are lovely. A longer, quieter riverside route along the calmer side of the River Lea and crossing the Beane and Rib before joining the Lea and the Lea Navigation. Lovely riverside walking with some stiles and narrow gates. Largely car-free and avoids National Cycle Network route 61, which runs along the south side of the river.

Easy: 5km, gentle ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hatfield Station to Hertford East Station

A varied walk through scenic, rolling Hertfordshire countryside, mixing narrow woodland paths, broad cycle tracks, farm tracks and urban streets, with field, wood and downhill woodland sections. Lumpy and muddy underfoot in places and with gates. There is a stretch on a wide pavement beside the A414 dual carriageway. Follows the River Lee for a while and makes use of the Chain Walk. Can be split at Bayford station.

16km.

Includes a pedestrian crossing of the A1 and a stretch alongside the busy A414 dual carriageway, on a wide pavement set back from the road. Can be muddy.

Lunch stops: the Candlestick, or the Black Horse.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Welwyn Garden City Station to Hertford East Station

the rest of the walk is stunning, varied, and very enjoyable. A varied route through Hertfordshire, beginning on dull town streets and an industrial estate before reaching Panshanger Park with its meadows, woods, the River Mimram and a lake, then an undulating cut-through into Hertford. Paths are mostly good and mud-free and but narrow with a camber and several kissing gates; one stretch on Panshanger Lane has no pavement. The permissive paths through Panshanger Park are safe and quiet; long-horned cattle graze in some meadows, and wildlife includes spoonbills. No village halfway, but shops at either end and benches by the lakes.

11km.

A short stretch on Panshanger Lane has no pavement and only a poor verge on a curved road; take care. A footbridge over the railway at both ends involves stairs.

Lunch: No facilities midway; shops at either end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route