Hemwat two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

A really super Slow Way. Starting along the temptations/supplies of shopping streets of Watford, the accessible transfer from pedestrianised walkway to pavement to Cassiobury Park was a really nice touch. The park itself seems popular and friendly and in no time you are on the Grand Union Canal, which all but delivers you to the meeting place for Hemel Hempstead. The walk along the towpath is quite varied and mainly is amongst settlements which supplies the occasional pub and shop along the way. My only criticism of the walk would be that I didn't really feel like I visited Hemel Hempstead, which is an issue with the location of the meeting point, which is at the railway station, outside of the centre of town. A minor point. In summary, a really well crafted Slow Way: Direct, safe, connected, well served and a real pleasure to walk.

I walked from Watford to Hemel.
From the station you cross a busy road and through a pedestrianized town center, shops and coffee. There is an underpass and after 1.5 Km you are at Cassiobury Park, and that's it for roads, from here it is parks and towpaths all the way.
Navigation is easy but keep an eye out for the bridges where you cross from one side to the other. Paths are flat and of varied quality, mostly good. Bridges are steep, one is 36%. Pub at Hunton Bridge. Refreshments and nearby Station at Apsley Marina.
Exit the towpath through a kissing gate to Box Moor with several wide gates (to control livestock) on the approach to Hemel Hempstead Station which is 3Km from the High Street and Marlows Shopping Centre.
Although mostly canal it is quite varied as it passes through farmland, old industrial land, and towns. Plenty of wildlife to see. A lovely walk.

I made this route as an alternative to Hemwat One with less road and more park and canal towpath.
It was a gorgeous Autumn day, the trees were turning gold, and despite the colder weather there was still plenty of activity on the canal.
From Watford station I walked along the High Street, which has restricted traffic and is now a very pleasant town centre with the usual mix of shops and cafes.
Cassiobury Park is a large popular park connecting central Watford with the Grand Union Canal. The route passes the 'Hub' with a cafe and toilets, before it reaches the canal towpath. The towpath is mostly good underfoot, pleasant walking and only occasional cyclists. Some of the bridges are surprisingly steep and narrow, and the towpath sometimes narrows as it passes under a bridge.
The canal passes under the M25 twice, which is a little confusing, and runs through Kings Langley without being very obvious, but it would be possible to detour for a rest here if you want. A bit further on there is a marina at Apsley with places to eat alongside the towpath.
The meeting point at Hemel Hempstead is the railway station, which is a mile from the town centre and has no other amenities (there are toilets on the platform side of the ticket barrier), but it is convenient if you want to do this as a day walk. The final stretch is over common land, where some rather good looking cows were grazing.
I really enjoyed my walk and am giving this one 5 stars - direct, off road, refreshments, and interest, everything a Slow Way needs!.

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