Walks from Ware

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.

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.

A good, varied route along a short canal section then through open farmland with big skies, plus a nature reserve and patches of field crossings that can be muddy. Footpaths and bridleway are well signed, with no steep gradients and but stiles and steps make it inaccessible. Passes the Amwell Way / Amwell nature reserve, with grebes, grey wagtails and dozens of benches along the way. An alternative follows the River Lee and Stort towpaths or the Hertfordshire Way.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 4h30–8h30

Lunch: Two pubs with food and drink at Hunsdon, about 40% of the way along.

Warnings: Some field crossings can be muddy, and one was unclear where a farmer had harvested turnips. The road between Mablets and Great Penny's Farm has been known to flood, with the verge submerged. Stiles and steps.

Walk details: Slow Ways.