Berhem one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

This route from Hemel Hampstead to Berkhamstead was very straightforward. I just has to follow the canal! The path wasn't very muddy luckily, and
although it was lovely to walk along the canal again, it was fairly monotonous. I do always like watching boats go through the locks though, but it was too chilly to linger too much.

A very short, sweet, easy to follow route. Joins the towpath of the Grand Union and with only one crossing delivers you to the meeting place in Berkhamsted. Only minor problem was a ford at the Hemel Hempstead end which was marked to not be crossed (potentially slippy). I found the same stream could be crossed at a narrower point from bank to bank. Alternatively, crossing the road and joining the canal on the other side of the bridge would be an option. The first section of canal beyond Hemel has countryside surroundings. About halfway there is a pub. As you get in to the genteel surroundings of "Berko" (I was walking with someone in the local know) the towpath can be narrow, but the surroundings are pretty and friendly. As you near the meeting point at Berkhamsted Station, the last section of towpath offers a number of welcoming pubs. We plumped for The Crystal Palace, and can thoroughly recommend it. This route is direct, safe, offroad, easy to follow and has some great places to stop despite only being 5.9km long. Marvellous!.

I walked from Hemel to Berko.
Canal towpath walking virtually all the way. Paths are range from bumpy to smooth. The only 'hills' are the bridges (20%). Two sets of steps.
Navigation is easy but, at the Hemel end the route shows accessing the canal on the East of the bridge which involves a narrow kissing gate and a shallow wade across a weir. I recommend crossing the road and going down steps on the West side. At the Berkhamstead end, get off the tow path as soon as you pass the Crystal Palace Pub then along the pavement to the station. A great walk with a selection of pubs.

I walked this route from Hemel Hempstead to Berkhamsted. Echoing other reviewers, it was a perfectly straightforward and enjoyable route along the canal the whole way. The surfaces aren’t always even and I found it muddy in spots, but it was overall nice, pleasant, easy walking. I also liked hopping over to check out the remains of Berkhamsted Castle!

I personally found it a bit boring just along the canal the whole way, but that’s no reason to really dock a route!.

Very straightforward and pleasant route along the Grand Union canal, linking Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted railway stations. Plenty of refreshment stops at either end - particularly in Berkhamsted, where the walk runs through the middle of the town.

I walked this route from Hemel to Berkhamsted. It was an easy-to-follow, easy-to-walk route along the Grand Union Canal. Some rather quaint houses and bridges along the way, and we were able to have our picnic in Berkhamsted Castle right by the railway station at the end of the route. A lovely morning's walk!.

Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead Railway stations are both have close access to the canal which provides a pleasant Slow Way between the two towns. There are steps to get under a bridge in Berkhamsted, steps to get over a bridge just outside Brkhamstead and steps or stepping stones to access the tow path at Hemel Hempstead but other than that it's pretty level - with the usual sloped paths around the lock gates.
A pleasant walk.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.