Cuffley to Northaw Great Wood (7.5 miles / 12km - Leisurely, Booking Required)

This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.

A circular walk from the village of Cuffley in southeast Herts, visiting Northaw Great Wood Country Park. A large part of the route is through woodland so if we have hot weather the woodland shade will be welcome.

The route is through farmland, woodland and along streets, with a few moderately steep slopes.

We’ll begin by following part of the Hertfordshire Way long-distance trail anticlockwise alongside arable fields, before a steep climb takes us up to The Ridgeway. This road on the outskirts of Cuffley is lined with large properties which are apparently home to many celebrities and footballers.

We’ll soon enter Northaw Great Wood, which comprises of oak, hornbeam and birch woodland and is one of Hertfordshire's largest remaining wood pasture commons. Historically the common land was used for grazing livestock, gathering wood fuel and feeding pigs. We’ll follow a trail inside the perimeter of the wood, passing alongside streams and through open glades, stopping for our packed lunch at a picnic area.

Following lunch, we’ll head out of the Great Wood past some remnants of wartime defences; the area was part of the Outer London Stop Line designed to protect the capital from invasion during World War Two, with anti-tank barriers visible next to a concrete road which led to anti-aircraft positions. 

After this we’ll head along Carbone Hill and through Home Wood, then up and down the undulating streets of Cuffley to reach The Plough. The pub sits near the top of a hill and after stopping for a quick drink we can admire a distant view of the London skyline. From the pub it’s just half a mile back to our start point.

Toilets are available at Cuffley station, Northaw Great Wood and The Plough.

Dogs are welcome on a lead. 

For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.

Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.

Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.

If the walk is fully booked, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.

Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.