Hertfordshire Way #1, Take 2: Hitchin to Whitwell (10 miles / 16km - Moderate, Booking Required)

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

Another chance to walk part 1 of an epic long-distance trail around Hertfordshire - join us for any of these! The Hertfordshire Way is a waymarked route of almost 200 miles which we’ll walk in sections.

Please note this is a linear walk from Hitchin to Whitwell - at the end point you can get a bus to the start. Drivers may wish to park at the end point.

The route is through countryside and villages and over a few hills, passing the sites of a Roman bathhouse and a Motte & Bailey castle, the ruins of a medieval chapel and the childhood home of the Queen Mother, with some great scenic views along the way.

We’ll begin our walk along the Hertfordshire Way from Stag Walkers’ central location of Hitchin. After heading out of town we’ll join the Way just outside Great Wymondley; at nearby Little Wymondley we’ll detour slightly from the waymarked trail, avoiding a busy road crossing by walking through Todds Green. We then head up and downhill around the Langley valley, pausing for a look at the Minsden Chapel ruins, then continue across fields towards St Paul’s Walden. Here we’ll walk through the churchyard and past the country house of St Paul’s Walden Bury, where we can look for early-flowering snowdrops.

The walk will finish in Whitwell, at the Recreation Ground car park or at the nearby bus stop for services back to Hitchin (Centrebus 315 departs at 14.48 or 304 at 15.13). Depending on time and preference there may be an optional visit at the end of the walk to Emily’s Tea Shop for hot drinks and cake or to the village pub, The Bull.

Hertfordshire Way #2 will take place on Saturday 3rd February (9.5 miles from Whitwell to Wheathampstead) with subsequent sections to follow on the first weekend each month.

Please bring a packed lunch, drinks and a sitmat, and wear walking boots: some paths are likely to be muddy.

Dogs are welcome, on a lead.

Booking your place: If you would like to join, you must book in advance using the Stag Walkers Meetup group - see Notes for how to book & what to bring. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your booking so that someone else can take your place.

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

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

Please car-share or use public transport if possible. To offer a lift or ask for one from a fellow walker, please use the Meetup event page.