Walks from Potters Bar

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.

The countryside views are fantastic, and the scenery is extremely varied; a marvellous view of the rest of the route all the way to St Albans. A very enjoyable and varied route with a mix of fields, woodland, lanes, tracks and urban residential estates, plus a riverside walk; mostly good path and road or pavement with some muddier track and one or two extra-muddy fields. No pavement-less B-roads and all road crossings safe except one. Marvellous mid-point view across to St Albans. Rich wildlife (skylark, woodpecker, red kites, butterflies) and varied features including an air museum, a fishery and a gravel-extraction conveyor belt. Pubs at South Mimms and Tyttenhanger, plus a picnic area and WC at the Willows Lakes fishery. Note St Albans High Street is on the far side of the station.

Time: 4h–8h30

Lunch: Pubs at South Mimms and Tyttenhanger split the route into thirds, plus picnic area and toilets at the Willows Lakes fishery.

Warnings: The crossing of the A414 is uncontrolled on a dual carriageway with fast traffic, though there is a central median so you only cross two lanes at a time; some narrow kissing gates and barriers along the route, and a fair bit of mud in winter.

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.

A fairly direct route making the most of wooded footpaths and quieter streets at both ends, with field boundaries, a golf-course edge and a track under the M25. There is around a mile to a mile and a half alongside the noisy A1 and plus a stretch of road without a verge; a few muddy patches and a tunnel under the motorway that may flood. Follows part of Cycle Network 12; South Mimms services, passed en route, has all facilities and picnic benches for a break. Passes Elstree Studios.

Time: 3h–6h30

Lunch: South Mimms services, passed en route, has all facilities.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk. About a mile and a half is spent alongside the noisy A1 (on a safe cycle path), and there is a half-mile stretch of road with no verge; the tunnel under the M25 may flood occasionally.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Quiet suburban roads and a small woodland path out of Potters Bar, then lanes that become field paths, crossing the A1(M) and M25 and various fields with kissing gates of varying condition. Woodland near the Radlett end with a steep road descent into the town. Narrow paths and dozens of gates. St Giles' & St Margaret's church in Ridge has a water tap near the front entrance. Shenley has a bench and a Post Office/shop. Probably more scenic in summer.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Lunch: Shenley, roughly mid-route, has a Post Office/shop.

Warnings: Field paths change as the farmer ploughs, and a couple of recently drilled fields had no visible path; there is a short 21m stretch with no path where care is needed. Not all kissing gates are in good condition. Dozens of gates and narrow paths.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Gobions Wood is absolutely beautiful. The rest of walk takes you through unremarkable but quiet fields.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Gobion's Wood

Time: 2h30–4h30

Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!

Source: Trains2Green.