Walks you can reach from Alexandra Palace by train

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).

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).

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).

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).

Gently undulating woodland, open fields, deer park, golf course, nature reserve and formal garden city streets.

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

A moderate walk from one village through another, then across open countryside and beneath the railway before heading into the town — on field paths, tracks and a stretch of road.

Time: 2h30

Lunch: The Dolphin in Melbourn, and a café at the Royston Tesco near the finish.

Walk details: Cam Valley Community Rail Partnership (PDF).

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.

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.

A pleasant walk mostly on footpaths away from roads, through woods, fields with horses and sheep, residential streets and alleyways and picking up a cycle path into Hatfield. Field paths are sometimes barely visible through harvested crops; steps and narrow rooty paths. Follows Cycle Route 12 towards Hatfield. Main roads are paved and well lit. A few minutes by train returns you to the start.

Time: 2h30–5h

1 lunch spot: the Sibthorpe Arms

Warnings: Many points where it is easy to go astray, so follow the GPS map carefully.

Walk details: Slow Ways.