Stevenage Outer Orbital Path - East (18 miles / 29km - Strenuous, Booking Required)

This walk has 25 places, including the leader.

The Stevenage Outer Orbital Path (STOOP) was developed by North Herts Ramblers and launched in September 2008. To celebrate its 15th anniversary, we’ll be walking the whole trail over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Rather than skirting the edge of the town, the STOOP goes through the wonderful countryside surrounding Stevenage, linking several villages and touching the border of Hitchin. We’ve split the circular route into two linear walks between Hitchin and Knebworth, of 14 and 18 miles - join us for one or both of these!

On this second and longer day of our STOOP challenge we’ll start at Knebworth station and pick up the trail at Woolmer Green, then pass through Walkern, Weston and Graveley before returning to Hitchin.

We suggest drivers park in Hitchin then catch the rail replacement bus to Knebworth to begin the walk.

On leaving Knebworth we’ll first head east through farmland and past Datchworth church before turning north along a quiet country lane towards Hooks Cross. We’ll pass the ancient Astonbury Wood then follow the River Beane alongside fields and through meadows until we reach a former water mill on the outskirts of Walkern. Eight miles into our walk, we’ll stop for our lunch break at the park in Walkern and can buy snacks and drinks from the village shop.

We’ll next turn west, heading out of the Beane Valley towards Weston. We’ll go through Weston Park, a former deer park which once belonged to Anne Boleyn, scattered with oak trees which may date back to medieval times. At Weston we’ll stop for a drink at the Cricketers, twelve miles into our walk.

Leaving Weston, we’ll see Hitchin ahead of us and the Pegsdon Hills beyond, before heading down the holloway of Brooks Hill and into Graveley, where we’ll cross the Great North Road. Finally, our last four-mile stretch will see us pass along fields north of Wymondley, reaching Hitchin at Purwell Ninesprings then retracing our steps from our first part of the STOOP the previous morning.

After crossing Purwell Meadows, we can stop at the Millstream for a drink and perhaps a well-earned meal!

Please note this is a long walk recommended only for experienced walkers. Make sure you bring plenty of food and drink.

Dogs are welcome (on a lead) if accustomed to distance.

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.