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Hertford — Ware

Herwar two
Verified route

By Sue and Ian on 30 Apr 2021

Distance

4km/2mi

Ascent

7m

Descent

14m

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So far it has been reviewed by seven people and surveyed by two people and

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Description

This is a more scenic route using the towpath of the River Lea

This is a more scenic route using the towpath of the River Lea

Status

This route has been reviewed by 7 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Herwar two

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.

Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 7

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (7)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 10

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 2X based on 2 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 1: Entirely smooth and compacted surfaces.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.		 Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 2 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Not present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Not present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Maybe present Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Maybe present Crops encroaching on path (1)
Maybe present Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Not present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

Narrowest part of path: no data

The steepest uphill gradient East: no data

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 6.0% (2)

The steepest camber: no data

We don't have clear data on the waymarking (2)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

50.0% of the route is on roads (2)

5.0% of the route is lit at night (2)

80.0% of the route is paved (2)

15.0% of the route is muddy (2)

There is no data on rough ground

5.0% of the route is through long grass (2)

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2 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

1X June 2021 by IU3A
Read survey
2X December 2025 by Laura Cheek
Read survey

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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Hertford
Grid Ref TL3297012917
Lat / Lon 51.79910° / -0.07306°
Easting / Northing 532,970E / 212,917N
What3Words await.bend.march
Ware
Grid Ref TL3600013998
Lat / Lon 51.80809° / -0.02872°
Easting / Northing 536,000E / 213,998N
What3Words launch.items.mime

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews

Laura Cheek

19 Dec 2025 Autumn
Report

Walked from Ware to Hertford. The route is straightforward and relatively free from obstables (gates were present on part of the path). The route diverts from the river path onto grass in 2 sections, first for the Dragonfly reserve and then later to cross along a field, these sections were muddy and the reserve had long grass under foot.

Strider

20 Dec 2022 Autumn
Report

We walked this route from Ware to Hertford in the snow and ice.
A bit slippery in places (icy and wet) but still a beautiful, direct and enjoyable walk.
Small temporary diversion around some works, easily navigated.
Even better in sunny weather I would think.

Mtormey

18 Dec 2022 Autumn
Report

I walked this route from Ware to Hertord in December 2022, a few days after the big snowstorm. It was icy and slippery, but even still, easy to follow and a joy to walk.

90% of the route is along the path along the Lee. It's lovely, quick, flat, and super pleasant. A goregous route. Excellent!.

Cpwhitehead

26 Oct 2021 Autumn
Report

Lovely route between Hertford & Ware. A mix of paved and hard packed surface so a little bumpy in places for strollers with small/hard wheels.

Jimmyfatwing

26 Oct 2021 Autumn
Report

Nice simple route between Ware and Hertford. Plenty of facilities at either end for food/drink. We’ll maintained footpaths mostly. Can be busy with runners; cyclists and walkers.

John D Bevan

20 Jun 2021 Spring
Report

Probably the fastest Slow Ways route between Hertford and Ware, but busy at time with cyclists and well as pedestrians.

IU3A

17 Jun 2021 Spring
Report

If you are starting from the town centre, then pick up landmarks such as the Green Dragon Hotel: Photo 1
Or turn right, down the pedestrianised high street: Photo 2
Follow the signs toward the station (Hertford East) but turn left into Christ hospital (Bluecoats school): Photo 3
Walk through exiting top right corner. Turn left and walk past in front of Hertford East station. Or if you are starting from the station, come out of main entrance and turn right. At the corner go straight on: Photo 4
Then immediately at the bridge over the canal take the ramp down on the left to the canal path. The path here is tarmaced, about 1.0m wide with some uneven patches (tree root undulations). Photo 5
The canal path leads to open country and passed the start of the ‘New River’: Photo 6
As you reach Ware the way narrows but is still very picturesque: Photo 7
You can leave the canal as you approach Ware – route ‘Hewar 3. Or there is an alternative end at Ware (see Hewar 2): You can follow the canal right to the centre, a main road over a bridge. Leave the canal path turn right down the road for 20m then turn left up to Ware rail station.

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Overall ratings

7 reviews

3 reviews

4 reviews

0 reviews

0 reviews

0 reviews

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Hertford—Ware

Herwar three

3 X

Distance

5km/3mi

Ascent

31 m

Descent

25 m

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