Best walks from Watford High Street

Watford High Street Station to Radlett Station

beautiful woodland. Quite stunning in the mist. Leaves Watford alongside the River Colne through parks and winding riverside tarmac paths, a short narrow verge on Berry Grove Lane, then quiet Otterspool Lane under the A41 and M1 into beautiful woodland. A track past a golf course leads through Aldenham and across fields and with cut-through paths and quiet suburban roads into Radlett. No steps but bicycle barriers and kissing gates; some parts muddy. Passes Aldenham church and its graveyard.

8km.

A 200m stretch of narrow verge along Berry Grove Lane (may be temporarily affected by roadworks, easy to walk around). Bicycle barriers and kissing gates, and some parts can be muddy.

Lunch stop: Battlers Green Farm café.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hemel Hempstead Station to Watford High Street Station

A greener, mostly flat route following the Grand Union Canal towpath for much of its length and passing through Cassiobury Park and a pedestrianised town centre. The towpath is mostly good underfoot but some canal bridges are surprisingly steep and narrow; ends over common land where cattle graze. Follows the Grand Union Canal; railway stations at Kings Langley and Apsley allow the walk to be split. The Hemel Hempstead meeting point is the station, about a mile from the town centre, with toilets on the platform side.

14km. Gentle ascents.

Some canal bridges are steep (one around 36%) and narrow, and the towpath narrows under bridges.

Lunch: Refreshments at the Cassiobury Park Hub cafe, a pub at Hunton Bridge, and places to eat at Apsley Marina.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Rickmansworth Station to Watford High Street Station

A level, mostly off-road route following the Ebury Way (a disused railway line) and parks for around 90 percent of the way, with only about 150m of busy road and quiet roads otherwise. The Ebury Way follows the Colne River; good surface, tarmac in places and gritted in others and with shallow mud and puddles in wetter months. Almost all cycle paths. Follows the Ebury Way; passes nature reserves, with detours possible to Croxley Common and the Aquadrome. A cycle hub at Croxley Green roughly halfway has seating, toilets and snacks.

7km.

Two single lanes of fast-moving traffic to cross by Oxhey Park near the Watford end; the route can feel quiet and some may find it uncomfortable alone. Can be muddy.

Refreshments, seating and toilets at the Watford and Leavesden Cycle Hub roughly halfway.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Northwood Station to Watford High Street Station

a lovely picturesque green walk with varied scenery. A green, varied walk using a long rail-side path, a golf course crossing, farm fields and the tree-lined Ebury Way alongside the River Colne, with quiet roads at the ends. Mostly good surfaces and greenery; steep steps and mud and narrow bridges in places. Follows the Capital Ring across the golf course.

6km.

Steep steps after Hampermill Lake, narrow bridges and mud. Stay alert crossing the golf course. The rail-side path and Ebury Way are unlit at night.

Lunch stop: Tasty Bean Café.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route