STOOP Challenge (27 miles Strenuous with 16.5 mile option, or 13 miles Moderate; Booking Required)

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

Fancy a challenge? Join us on one of the longest days of the year to walk the 27-mile Stevenage Outer Orbital Path (STOOP). Developed by North Herts Ramblers and launched in 2008, the STOOP goes through the wonderful countryside surrounding Stevenage, linking several villages and touching the border of Hitchin. For those who don’t wish to walk the full 27 miles, there are options to shorten the walk to 13 or 16.5 miles and catch buses back to the start point or optional meeting point.

Please note that the longer walk options are graded Strenuous due to length and are suitable only for experienced walkers of above average fitness, while the 13-mile option is graded Moderate. Please be prepared and bring sufficient food and water for the hike; we will have three scheduled food stops and a brief breather after any steep hills.

The terrain is undulating throughout, with some moderately steep slopes. Good walking trainers or walking shoes are recommended and as this is a long endurance event that could well run into dusk, we highly recommend bringing a working head torch in case our walk extends beyond the daylight hours.

Our journey kicks off in Woolmer Green, heading northeast to the hilltop village of Datchworth past arable fields, horse paddocks and the 12th-century village church. We then track north passing Astonbury Wood before the trail opens into the picturesque Beane Valley and the wildflower meadows of Walkern. Here, around 7 miles into our route, we will pause for a quick snack break in the park and can visit the village shop if needed. 

We then head steadily uphill to Weston, through farmland, parkland and past timber-framed houses, before descending to Graveley. This is our first drop-out milestone at around 13 miles into our route, a little under halfway around the STOOP. We will stop for our packed lunch at the village duck pond, followed by a pub stop at The Waggon and Horses.

Heading west, we reach the edge of Hitchin and pass Purwell Ninesprings Nature Reserve. This is around 15.5 miles into our walk and another optional drop-out point (those who wish to opt out here can turn right at Hitchin Road then continue for about a mile into town along Wymondley Road and Hollow Lane for buses back to the meeting point or start point).

We then walk southwards and through St Ippolyts, up to Almshoe Bury and in and out of the Langley valley, passing the roofless ruins of the 14th-century Minsden Chapel. Reaching St Paul’s Walden at our 21-mile mark, we will pause for a break next to The Strathmore Arms. Finally, we go through Reynolds Wood, Graffidge Wood, the Knebworth Estate and Mardley Heath Nature Reserve to complete our 27-mile loop at Woolmer Green.

Please note that this walk is not suitable for dogs.

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

Booking your place: Use our Meetup group to book your place on the walk: https://www.meetup.com/StagWalkers/ and click the ‘Attend’ button on the event page.

If the walk is full, click ‘join waitlist’ to be added if a place becomes available - please check back regularly. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you want to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.

Unless you opt in to further communications, your contact information will only be used 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.