Walks you can reach from Rye House by train

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).

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).

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).

A pleasant and interesting walk on undemanding local footways, with nothing too challenging underfoot, though gates can be limiting for some and wet periods may cause flooding and especially along the Ash Valley section.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h30–11h

Warnings: Gates may limit access for some. Wet periods can result in flooding, especially along the Ash Valley section.

Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Woodland, waterways and pre-history, through Broxbourne Woods and Celtic Harmony Camp to the River Lee at Ware.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Celtic Harmony Camp: A reconstructed Stone Age and Iron Age village offering a free weekend visitor experience.

Time: 4h30–9h

Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).

Recommended: Excellent views across the River Beane to Heath Mount. A varied route taking in the Woodhall estate and the valley of the River Beane and with a short section along the River Lea towpath in Ware.

Time: 3h–5h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: 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.

Time: 2h30–4h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An easy-to-navigate towpath walk following the Rivers Lea and Stort for the whole route, full of wildlife. The path can be narrow and uneven with steps and gets muddy after heavy rain. Follows the River Lea and River Stort navigations; abundant wildlife. Steps and narrow uneven parts.

Waterway: almost all along the River Stort Navigation.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Warnings: Some care is needed at the junction of the two rivers as signage is slightly confusing.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

The views were magnificent; good views, you can see the Shard. A varied route through fields, woods, hedged farmland tracks and picturesque villages, with steep hills around Cuffley (good views, including the Shard) and stretches of suburban and roadside walking. Frequently very muddy and marshy and especially in Morven open space and the wet field paths south of Cuffley. Passes the Leefe Robinson Memorial and Sopers Viaduct, and joins the Hertfordshire Way. Northaw is a picturesque village with a tap inside the church gate. Cuffley has shops and cafes for a refreshment stop.

Time: 4h30–9h

Lunch: Lots of refuelling opportunities in Cuffley around the half-way point.

Warnings: Many muddy and marshy sections, including waterlogged kissing gates and very muddy bridges over brooks (care needed); some narrow rooty paths; a temporary signposted detour around new road works near the New River at the Cheshunt end.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A varied but not greatly varied route mixing suburban streets, cycle paths, hedged farm tracks through fields and woods, wooded tracks up to a picturesque village. Includes a steep 19% hill with good views and a steep downhill through woodland and plus a narrow winding rooty path. Marked paths in places have gone or are overgrown. Follows the Hertfordshire Way through Hemps Hill. Northaw is a picturesque village with a tap inside the church gate and a pub; Cuffley has shops and cafes for refreshment.

Time: 4h–8h

Lunch: Shops and cafes at Cuffley, and a pub at Northaw.

Warnings: Some marked paths have gone or are overgrown, with diversions needed around new road works. A steep 19% hill up to Cuffley, then a steep downhill through woodland.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Time: 4h–8h

2 lunch spots: the Candlestick, or the Black Horse

Warnings: 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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Lunch: No facilities midway; shops at either end.

Warnings: A quarter urban. 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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.