Halloween Taproom Trek: Berkhamsted to Hemel (9.5 miles / 15km - Moderate, Booking Required)

This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader.

A Halloween-themed hike with some unusual points of interest, including Spooky Lane and Devil’s Bridge! 

The route is mainly through rolling Chilterns countryside of fields, woods and quaint villages, with some steep ups and downs - to be rewarded with a drink stop at the Mad Squirrel Brewery & Taproom.

Please note this is a linear walk from Berkhamsted to Hemel Hempstead, linked by rail. Drivers can choose to park at Berkhamsted and travel back to their cars by train after the walk, or park at Hemel and take the train to Berkhamsted before the walk.

The morning after Halloween, there may still be a spooky atmosphere as we begin by visiting the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle. This motte and bailey castle was built during the Norman Conquest and is alleged to be haunted by the ghost of a Norman soldier buried alive during a siege. We’ll stretch our legs by climbing the steps up the castle mound, then head north into the countryside.

Initially we’ll follow the Hertfordshire Way up to Berkhamsted Common. Here in the golf course and woods there are traces of prehistoric earthworks known as Grim’s Ditch. Over time, it was forgotten who built these and for what reason, and their construction was attributed to the Devil.

Turning northeast, we’ll descend through woodland to the hamlet of Frithsden. After noting the unusual pub sign of The Alford Arms, we head sharply uphill along a Roman Road to reach the path known as Spooky Lane. This holloway descends between towering, ivy-strewn walls crowned with tall trees, forming a foreboding tunnel. Ghostly figures have been reported here, including a wandering monk and a Roman guard. Near the bottom of the lane we pass under the curious "Devil's Bridge”, a dark and eerie spot.

We emerge in the hamlet of Nettleden, passing the spookily-named October Cottage and half-timbered houses which one could imagine as the setting of a rural Folk Horror film. We’ll escape out of the valley to St Margaret’s, then into open pasture overlooking Great Gaddesden.

After descending to the village and passing through its churchyard, it’s uphill again to Gaddesden Place, an 18th-century Palladian mansion. The house has been used as a location in various films, including 2018 comedy-horror Slaughterhouse Rulez and 1986 Ken Russell film Gothic, based upon events which led Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein.

After our packed lunch break we’ll walk down to the River Gade and up to Heizdins Wood, on part of the Chiltern Way long-distance trail. At Boxted Farm we’ll detour for a drink stop at the Mad Squirrel Brewery & Taproom, which has ten Mad Squirrel beers on tap and selected wines, ciders, gins and soft drinks. 

Refreshed, we’ll rejoin the Chiltern Way and head towards Hemel Hempstead, down another atmospheric holloway lined with old trees. When we come out of the woods it’s just a mile through streets and green spaces to reach our end point at Hemel Hempstead railway station.

Join us if you dare!

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, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and 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.