Hertfordshire Way

Hertfordshire Way
Hertfordshire Way near Wallington
Length	194 mi (312 km)
Location	Hertfordshire, England
Use	Hiking
Hiking details
Season	All year

The Hertfordshire Way is a circular walk around the County of Hertfordshire, England. The total length is 312 km (194 mi) which is fully waymarked in the anti-clockwise direction. One section has two optional routes reducing the possible length to 271 km (168 mi).

The walk is mainly in open countryside, some less than 20 miles from central London, but also passes through the historic city of St Albans, the County town of Hertford and the towns of Royston and Bishop’s Stortford. A number of the smaller, attractive villages of Hertfordshire are also encompassed in the route.

The route is formally divided into 16 sections most of which are accessible using public transport but as a circular walk it can be used to suit the wishes of the walker.

The walk was planned and is cared for by The Friends of the Hertfordshire Way, who are affiliated with the Ramblers Association. Funding for maintenance of way marks etc. is provided through subscriptions and donations to the group and sale of the guidebook.

The route originally started development in 1995 as part of the celebrations to mark 60 years of the Ramblers Association but it was not until 1996 that the route was officially established and the first issue of the guidebook was published in 1998. At that time it was 267 km (166 mi) in length. Over subsequent years amendments and additions have been made. The 2009 edition is available from the Friends of Hertfordshire Way.

The route is divided into 16 legs the shortest being around 17 km (11 mi) and the longest 24 km (15 mi) in length. The route starts in North East Hertfordshire at Royston.

Royston to Wallington. This leg is just over 17 km (11 mi) and passes across Therfield Heath and along parts of the ridge of North Hertfordshire with long views across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Pasque Flowers can be seen around Easter on Therfield Heath. The route then passes through the villages of Therfield, Kelshall and Sandon before arriving at Wallington. Wallington is one of the few places with poor public transport.

Wallington to Willian. This leg is about 18 km (11 mi) and passes through the villages of Clothall, Weston and Graveley to finish at Willian on the edge of Letchworth. Frequent public transport is available from the main road about 20mins walk from the finish