Connect Harpenden with Slow Ways
We’re creating a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks
more walks and reviews are needed to fully connect Harpenden to the verified network. Can you give a hike and help?
Give a hike!Harpenden
Hertfordshire
Slow Ways linking Harpenden and Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Kimpton, Luton, Markyate, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City
England / Hertfordshire / Harpenden
Harpenden’s seven Slow Ways are 71% checked
Help connect Harpenden
Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.
Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.
Give a hike and help get a for every one of Harpenden’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Harpenden from further afield
Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harpenden—Hatfield
|
Harhat one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent 131m | Descent 164m | |
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Harpenden—Kimpton
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Harkim one |
|
4 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 9km/5mi | Ascent 85m | Descent 106m | ||
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Harpenden—St Albans
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Harsta one |
|
U U |
|
Survey me | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent 105m | Descent 100m | ||
Harpenden—St Albans
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Harsta three |
|
U U |
|
Verify me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 153m | Descent 142m | ||
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Harpenden—St Albans
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Harsta four |
|
4 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 12km/7mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Harpenden—Welwyn Garden City
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Harwel one |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent 151m | Descent 175m | ||
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Harpenden—Welwyn Garden City
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Harwel two |
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U U |
|
Review me | Distance 13km/8mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
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Hemel Hempstead—Harpenden
|
Hemhar one |
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2 X |
|
Verify me | Distance 15km/9mi | Ascent 137m | Descent 116m | ||
Luton—Harpenden
|
Luthar two |
|
U U |
|
Verify me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 147m | Descent 146m | ||
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Luton—Harpenden
|
Luthar three |
|
U U |
|
Verify me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
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Markyate—Harpenden
|
Marhar two |
|
3 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Markyate—Harpenden
|
Marhar three |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent - | Descent - |
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Harpenden and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Collective progress
65% of Harpenden’s seven route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
12/12
11/12
4/12
4/12
11 people have contributed to Harpenden’s Slow Ways
10 people have pledged to walk and review a route
4 people have surveyed a route in Harpenden
133km out of 143km have been walked and reviewed
280km of reviews have been shared in Harpenden
Latest Updates
Lovely park parallel to Hemel shops. Approaching Harpenden you pass through Rothamsted research farm then down through Rothamsted Park (water fountain near the gate)....
Strider
Jane Taylor added Marhar three, a new walk from Markyate to Harpenden
Walk this routeFrom Harpenden there is a short section along streets, before walking on the common (photo #2), and an through St John's Wood (photo #2). The route then follows a bridle way along a golf course (photo #3) before crossing over the railway, where it makes a sharp turn to continue along some fields (photo #4) and through woods (photo #5) to end up at Sandridge (with pubs)....
Derick Rethans
After a short walk through Welwyn's shopping area (photo #1) and along a slightly busy road, the route takes you to Sherrardspark Wood, which was minimally muddy (photo #2). The route then goes up (photo #12) a little to first cross, and then join Station Road that you follow to the station (photo #13)....
Derick Rethans
Derick Rethans added Harwel two, a new walk from Harpenden to Welwyn Garden City
Walk this routeThe path goes right past Luton Airport Parkway station which I availed of rather than walk the last mile into Luton itself....
Heather S.
A short road section takes you to Granary Lane, a pedestrian path which takes you out of the town then across fields down to the River Lea. I chose the road as the parallel path was very muddy, the road was not too busy and several dog walkers and I managed quite well....
Strider
There was far more green than I expected from this walk by looking at the map, the paths are off set from the road where it looks as it you walk beside them. Clarence Park near St Albans station is closed sun-set to sun-rise, but most of the walk is not lit so it's a daylight walk. Narrow (55cm) entrance to Sandridge churchyard, but you can walk around....
Strider
Some of the sign posting around the Pumpkin Farm also needs improving. Otherwise, a lovely walk through rural pathways and fields....
Dipa Patel
It was unpleasant enough for me to make an alternative option Harsta Four, which is similar between Harpenden and Sandridge, and then follows a quiet green off-road alternative to St Albans through Jersey Farm Woodland Park, so more or less avoiding the B651....
Jane Taylor
I'm marking my own work quite hard here - I took the star off for deviation, and also because St Albans' suburbs are pleasant but go on a bit; this route is 800 metres longer than Harsta Three - but it is so much nicer between Sandridge and St Albans!...
Jane Taylor
It’s a splendid walk, about 90% off road, with a mix of paths, lanes and tracks. The route does a little detour to the pub through the churchyard, if you are not bothered then just walk straight through the churchyard....
Jane Taylor
Jane Taylor added Harsta four, a new walk from Harpenden to St Albans
Walk this routeJane Taylor added Marhar two, a new walk from Markyate to Harpenden
Walk this routeThere 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....
Strider
Apart from the very start and end, it followed the Nickey Line (an old railway route) which meant it was easy to follow, and generally well-paved and wide....
lwatson
(I passed by the point where Luthar Two turns off, and I agree with the reviewers of that route that it doesn’t look like a particularly safe or pleasant walking option, compared with staying on the Lea Valley Way into Harpenden.). All in all I think this is a good example of how a slow way should be: it uses the best of the available route options to create a direct, safe, and enjoyable route between neighbouring towns....
Jane Taylor
Going through Rothamstead there were very clear navigation boards and interesting information boards about the experiments....
lwatson
I walked the route in March and parts were muddy and there were some large puddles the width of the path....
Kate Ingrams
Far better to have stayed with the Lea Valley walk all the way to Station Rd in Harpenden and then cross the road (at the pelican crossing), turn right and follow the conventional footpath up that road to the Station....
BigDog
It can be very muddy in places (especially between Coleman Green and Symondshyde Farm via Titnol's Wood, where the route chosen is impassible currently due to deep mud....
BigDog
This route between Wheathampsted and Ayot Green is often muddy (due to proximity to the river) and willfully ignores the much more accessible and useable Ayot Greenway a few hundred metres to the north which covers almost the same route between these two....
BigDog
Walked this route both directions - first from Harpenden and then back after a lunch break in Kimpton....
lwatson
A few sections will be very muddy in wet weather and one roadside section along Kimpton Road between Blackmore Way and Beech Way has no real footpath - instead use the permissive way on the other side of the hedge opposite No 80. Note also that footpath has been rerouted around perimeter of Heron's Farm....
BigDog
Paul Catterfeld added Harsta three, a new walk from Harpenden to St Albans
Walk this routeMuch shorter than the other Harpenden to St Albans route (which was in Mike's 50 Least Direct Routes)....
Paul Catterfeld
The luton end of the walk is built up and not as nice as much of the rest of the walk and if you want to use a train for the return leg with a small detour you can stop at Luton Parkway Station avoiding the centre of Luton Town itself....
Jemdaly93
Beware Gorehambury doesn't open until 8:00am, and a short section by the River Ver sometimes floods for a couple of metres....
pastim
Slow Ways added Harhat one, a new walk from Harpenden to Hatfield
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Harsta one, a new walk from Harpenden to St Albans
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Harwel one, a new walk from Harpenden to Welwyn Garden City
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Hemhar one, a new walk from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden
Walk this route
Harpenden’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
TL1369614210
Lat / Lon
51.81497° / -0.35201°
Easting / Northing
513,696E / 214,210N
what3words
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Harpenden and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Facilities
Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Harpenden's meeting point
Public toilet
Wheelchair accessible toilet
Supermarket or convenience shop
Restaurant, cafe or pub
Accommodation
Accommodation for under £50 a night
Campsite
Bothy
Free wifi
Mobility scooter hire
Off-road wheelchair hire
Disabled Parking
Train station
Bus stop
Ferry
Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town
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