Hodhar one

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Walked this route before Slow Ways was launched. Can be offputtingly wet at times but mostly a pleasantt canal heavy walk.

Excellent route alongside River Stort. It can become a bit muddy from the last lock, just before the end. It is possible to cycle it, although there are one or two stiles to lift your bike over.

There is easy access to Hoddesdon via the train station at Broxbourne - it's just a little walk up the New River. We took this walk in December and finished it in twilight. There are a number of pubs to stop at on the way, a nice one at Dobbs Weir (Fish and Eels) and one at the end in Harlow (The Moorhen). We tweaked this route slightly as some of the fields beside the canal were waterlogged so we kept to the tow path. However, during drier times you could easily follow this route exactly and save a few hundred metres by taking a short cut across the fields along a footpath near the end. There are steps across footbridges, muddy unmetalled tow paths and narrow passages to get along so it's not the most accessible route. There is little lighting on the canal so some people may not feel safe, although it was well away from road danger. There was also a fallen tree on the tow path (December 2022) which meant that the way would be impassable if wheeling. It is beautiful, pretty direct route and the canal has a lovely calmness, it was lovely to walk this route.

I walked this route from Hoddesdon.
Shortly after starting there is a minor change needed - taking Legra Avenue leads you to a busy road with a blind bend and no crossing. Instead continue on down Conduit Lane and there are traffic lights to cross the same road and then turn right to return to the route.
This is a lovely route mostly along canal towpaths and I would imagine it is even more enjoyable when the trees are in leaf, but at this time of year there seemed to be daffodils and celandines everywhere.
If you like waterbirds there are plenty to see.

Most of the route is easily walkable although not always a flat path and possibly a bit narrow for larger pushchairs in places and there were a couple of muddy patches. I was passed by plenty of cyclists on certain stretches. However the route is not completly accessible. To cross the London/Hertford railway line you have to use a footbridge with plenty of steps (I've added a photo). The final stretch in Harlow involves walking along a busy road for about 500 metres but the pavement is wide and I can see no viable alternative.
There are plenty of places to get food and drink in Hoddesdon as the route starts at the end of the High Street but after that there is nothing until Roydon where I assume there is a shop or a pub although I didn't actully see one. In Harlow the route ends at the railway station which is not in the centre of town and I didn't pass anywhere to buy food or drink.

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