Stevenage Outer Orbital Path - West (14 miles / 23km - Moderate, 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 first day of our STOOP challenge we’ll start at Hitchin station, making our way eastwards through Purwell Meadows before joining the STOOP proper at the edge of town. We’ll head into the open countryside and pass through the quiet village of St. Ippolyts, then over undulating farmland between Little Almshoe and Langley End.

The path heads southwards towards St. Paul’s Walden, where we’ll see All Saint’s Church with its crenelated top and stop for a quick optional drink at the Strathmore Arms shortly before a packed lunch stop nearby.

We’ll pass through pleasant woodland then approach the open grounds of Knebworth House, where we’ll hope to spot free-roaming deer in the attractive enclosed parkland.

We’ll then make our way towards the southern tip of the STOOP at Mardley Wood before following the footpath back into Knebworth, where walkers may catch the train back to the walk start point in Hitchin.

Dogs are welcome on a lead provided they are accustomed to the 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.