Green Walks in England: East and East Anglia (south-west)

This area is that part of the region within the AL and WD postcode areas.

Neighbouring regions and areas are

Note also some of the most convenient hubs for multi-day walking on different routes.

Routes

  • Abbey Line Trail
    A 15km walking route which runs roughly parallel to the railway line between St Albans Abbey station and Watford Junction station.
  • Alban Way
    This 10.5km stile-free route takes the railbed of the former line between Hatfield and St Albans Abbey stations.
  • Chess Valley Walk
    A 16km walk following the River Chess between Chesham and Rickmansworth.
  • Chiltern Way
    The core walk loops its way through the varied landscapes of the Chiltern Hills in a 221km circuit. The route has spawned three extensions — in Berkshire (via Cookham and Henley: 45km), in the south (via Goring and Woodcote: 51km), and in the north (via Great Offley and Chapelfoot: 44km).
  • Coal Tax Circuit
    A 315km walk which links up the markers which delineate the 1860s boundary, within which imports of coal and wine were taxed by the City of London Corporation.
  • Colne Valley Trail
    A walk of 25km between Rickmansworth and Colnbrook.
  • Ebury Way
    A 6km railbed walk between Watford and Rickmansworth, named after Lord Ebury (1801-93), the chairman of the railway company.
  • Get out of London: north to Hatfield
    A 47km walk from Trafalgar Square to Hatfield via Finsbury Park and Barnet.
  • Get out of London: north-west to Hemel Hempstead
    A 51km walk from Trafalgar Square to Hemel Hempstead via Barn Hill and Cassiobury Park.
  • Grand Union Canal Walk
    A 227km walk along the towpath of the canal between the River Thames at Brentford and Birmingham’s famous Gas Street Basin.
  • Hertfordshire Way
    A 264km circuit round the county, taking in Royston, St Albans, Tring station, Chipperfield Common, Aldenham, Hertford, Perry Green and Bishop’s Stortford.
  • Lea Valley Walk
    A 93km walk following the River Lea between its source at Leagrave and its outflow into the River Thames at Trinity Buoy Wharf.
  • London Loop
    A 277km circuit of the capital which follows close to the outer boundaries of the London boroughs, sometimes extending into neighbouring areas.
  • London Summits Walk
    A 320km circuit taking in the highest point in each London borough (plus the summit of the City of London).
  • Ring around the Underground
    This 302km route takes you in a grand circular multiple-stage walking tour connecting all the outer termini of the London Underground, the Tube.
  • Ver Valley Trail
    A 28km walk from Kensworth Lynch to Bricket Wood.
  • Ver-Colne Valley Walk
    A walk of 24km from Redbourn to Watford.
  • Watling Chase Timberland Way
    A 16km route between Smallford and Borehamwood.

Hubs

Some places lend themselves to being hubs, where you may pitch up for a few days’ car-free walking, fanning out on a different route (or part of a route) each day. The hub becomes a walking-place for recreation at walking pace. Hubs in this area include

  • Hatfield
    As well as serving the area, Hatfield has public transport links to the east and to north London.
  • St Albans
    As well as being the principal hub for the area, St Albans has public transport links to the north-west and to north London.
  • Watford
    As well as serving the area, Watford has public transport links to the west, and to north and west London.

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