Description
Upgraded route which has been precisely mapped to ensure a successful road crossing at junction 9 of the M1.
Leaving Markyate, follow the Hertfordshire Way across fields to Flamstead. There is a small 'V' shaped diversion through the churchyard at Flamstead to reach a refreshment stop, if not required then walk straight through the churchyard.
At Flamstead the route jumps over from the Hertfordshire Way to the Chiltern Way: there are a lot of waymarks in this area, check the route to make sure you follow the right ones! Footpaths out of Flamstead, through woodland, and then down a slope towards the motorway junction, heading towards some barns, which are part of a 'pop up farm'.
You will come out by the motorway junction, which must be crossed. It is part of the Chiltern Way, and is doable, although it is perhaps not as well signposted or comfortable as one might wish for. It is safe, bearing in mind you must check for oncoming traffic when crossing each part of the junction.
If you are following this route using the OS maps app, use the 'standard' map type rather than 'premium topo', as this allows a more detailed zoom for detail. Follow the mapped route line to cross the road - you will see a Chiltern Way waymark sticker on a lamppost, this is where you cross. When you get to the other side there is a low crash barrier, you should climb over the crash barrier. The lamppost here also has a Chiltern Ways sticker.
Coming from the other direction - don't be put off by the crash barrier, this is the crossing point!
Continue to follow the route line as you cross more roads and walk under the bridge which carries the M1.
Eventually you will reach a little layby, where there is an entry point on the left to fields along the river Ver. The farmer has put an old plough into the gap, which needs to be skirted. That is the tricky bit over!
The route then goes through a long field, which follows the river Ver. The OS map seems to show an old way across the field, and the modern route is the one I have plotted instead. This field may get wet in winter.
Continue to follow the Chiltern Way through more fields and then a golf course. The route then leaves the Chiltern Way and goes through the Rothamsted estate, which is known for agricultural research. The Rothamsted estate leads all the way to Harpenden.
Apart from a little urban at Harpenden, and even less at Markyate, and the M1 crossing, this route is entirely rural, and very pleasing. Refreshments at Flamstead; mix of paths, gates, and one crash barrier to climb over
Upgraded route which has been precisely mapped to ensure a successful road crossing at junction 9 of the M1.
Leaving Markyate, follow the Hertfordshire Way across fields to Flamstead. There is a small 'V' shaped diversion through the churchyard at Flamstead to reach a refreshment stop, if not required then walk straight through the churchyard.
At Flamstead the route jumps over from the Hertfordshire Way to the Chiltern Way: there are a lot of waymarks in this area, check the route to make sure you follow the right ones! Footpaths out of Flamstead, through woodland, and then down a slope towards the motorway junction, heading towards some barns, which are part of a 'pop up farm'.
You will come out by the motorway junction, which must be crossed. It is part of the Chiltern Way, and is doable, although it is perhaps not as well signposted or comfortable as one might wish for. It is safe, bearing in mind you must check for oncoming traffic when crossing each part of the junction.
If you are following this route using the OS maps app, use the 'standard' map type rather than 'premium topo', as this allows a more detailed zoom for detail. Follow the mapped route line to cross the road - you will see a Chiltern Way waymark sticker on a lamppost, this is where you cross. When you get to the other side there is a low crash barrier, you should climb over the crash barrier. The lamppost here also has a Chiltern Ways sticker.
Coming from the other direction - don't be put off by the crash barrier, this is the crossing point!
Continue to follow the route line as you cross more roads and walk under the bridge which carries the M1.
Eventually you will reach a little layby, where there is an entry point on the left to fields along the river Ver. The farmer has put an old plough into the gap, which needs to be skirted. That is the tricky bit over!
The route then goes through a long field, which follows the river Ver. The OS map seems to show an old way across the field, and the modern route is the one I have plotted instead. This field may get wet in winter.
Continue to follow the Chiltern Way through more fields and then a golf course. The route then leaves the Chiltern Way and goes through the Rothamsted estate, which is known for agricultural research. The Rothamsted estate leads all the way to Harpenden.
Apart from a little urban at Harpenden, and even less at Markyate, and the M1 crossing, this route is entirely rural, and very pleasing. Refreshments at Flamstead; mix of paths, gates, and one crash barrier to climb over
Status
This route has been reviewed by 4 people.
There are no issues flagged.
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 4
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (4)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 4
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 3X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Note | ||
| Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections. 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 1 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.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
The narrowest part of the path is 45.0cm (1)
The steepest uphill gradient walking East 10.0% (1)
The steepest uphill gradient walking West 10.0% (1)
The steepest camber gradient across the path 4.0% (1)
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear (1)
Successfully completed
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Recommended by an expert
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Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
15.0% of the route is on roads (1)
15.0% of the route is lit at night (1)
30.0% of the route is paved (1)
15.0% of the route is muddy (1)
20.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)
15.0% of the route is through long grass (1)
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1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Markyate
Grid Ref
TL0617116377
Lat / Lon
51.83593° / -0.46047°
Easting / Northing
506,171E / 216,377N
What3Words
hardly.spice.polite
Harpenden
Grid Ref
TL1369614210
Lat / Lon
51.81497° / -0.35201°
Easting / Northing
513,696E / 214,210N
What3Words
fast.mutual.lifts
| Markyate | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TL0617116377 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.83593° / -0.46047° |
| Easting / Northing | 506,171E / 216,377N |
| What3Words | hardly.spice.polite |
| Harpenden | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TL1369614210 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.81497° / -0.35201° |
| Easting / Northing | 513,696E / 214,210N |
| What3Words | fast.mutual.lifts |
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reviews
Derick Rethans
21 Jul 2024I walked this on a cloudy but warm afternoon, from Markygate to Harpenden.
I set out to walk Marhar 3, but ended up doing this one.
From Markygate you climb up through a residential street (photo #1) and some woods (photo #2) to end up walking through corn fields (photo #3). The path was often full of flowers (photo #4). Just before Flamstead the route goes through a field with horses (photo #5), but they were not paying me any attention. Friendless Lane was friendly enough with no traffic (photo #6).
The route has you going around the church in Flamstead (photo #7), but that's not really necessary, unless you fancy a pint. Through a narrow public footpath (NO HORSES, photo #8), you get to Delmer End Lane and onto Singlets Lane. A good footpath gets you down the hill towards the A5183/M1 crossing. On the most western roundabout, I crossed on the south side (photo #9), and then across the A5183 north (photo #10) to join the River Ver Trail. There is a footpath on the north side under the M1 and across the northern side of the east roundabout. This is reasonably safe, but not fantastic.
Here the created route actually follows the River Ver Trail which is very pleasant indeed. After crossing the Redbourn Golf Club (be aware of flying balls), the route passes through Knott Wood (photo #11) onto the Rothamsted Research Farm. There are good paths here (photo #12). After leaving the farm, the route takes you through Rothamsted Park and along Station Road to… the station.
Great walk, but docked a star due to the crossing.
Dipa Patel
10 Jun 2022Most of the route is fine. Crossing the M1 isn't the easiest. Some of the sign posting around the Pumpkin Farm also needs improving. Otherwise, a lovely walk through rural pathways and fields.
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Jane Taylor
17 May 2022Walked Harpenden to Markyate, with Strider, who has done a more detailed review!
It’s a splendid walk, about 90% off road, with a mix of paths, lanes and tracks. It has a real ‘far from the city’ feel, and the rolling land inspires ‘I wonder what’s over that next ridge’ imaginings.
As Strider puts it, the M1 crossing is a bit of a hiccup, but it only takes around 5 minutes if you follow the route line (zoom in to make sure it is clear). Look for Chiltern Way stickers at the less obvious crossing point, where on one side only you must step over a low crash barrier (see Strider’s photo).
Flamstead was delightful, classic quaint village with church (photo) and pub. The route does a little detour to the pub through the churchyard, if you are not bothered then just walk straight through the churchyard.
At Markyate we caught a bus to St Albans. Other towns served are Luton and Hemel Hempstead. You can’t get a bus back to Harpenden, so you need to plan for that!
I really enjoyed this walk and can happily recommend it.
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Strider
15 May 2022I walked from Harpenden to Markyate.
This lovely walk leaves Harpenden Town quickly, first across the common then into Rothamsted park, leafy green areas. Then to Rothamsted Farm with its patchwork of crops for research. There is a shady path next to Knot Wood before a gravel path through a golf course (not across the greens, no ball dodging). Across a road and through a gap in the hedge and into fields following the Chiltern Way, although the marked path has wandered, the route given here will guide you accurately. The M1 lies directly between the two towns so has to be crossed, this is the only unpleasant bit and it is short. Following the Chiltern Way stickers you have to step over a crash barrier and across roads with a large island between them, with patience it is safe.
The path then passes behind a big red barn up into woodland and then quaint passages into Flamstead with a beautiful church and good pubs.
Leaving the Chiltern Way for the Hertfordshire way the path goes straight through open fields to the picturesque village of Markyate.
A beautiful walk through rolling Hertfordshire countryside with a small hiccough in the middle.
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