From Oaklands's shops and North Star Pub across the road and up Turpins Ride which changes from a road to a track to a path to a windy path between houses and woodland. Suddenly, open fields past Queens Hoo House and a long track to Bacon's Farm, Wide and narrow paths between fields and through woods. A short walk along a 'Highway Verge Path' to wandering paths through fields and woods....

Strider

Pretty views on the canal and at the church in Stapleford....

dumityty

Leaving Hertford, there was a bit of confusion with between the gpx and our navigation app, which seemed to be directing us to walk along the verge of a relatively busy road (B1000) but there was a (safer) path removed from the road that could be followed instead....

Christopher Lewis

The route is well described by Colin, and an excellent route it is. I would add that the kissing gates in Panhangers Park are not exactly on the marked route but hidden a few metres to the side, which I found a little confusing. An excellent route through beautiful Hertfordshire countryside....

Strider

From Hertford to Welwyn Garden City, it starts with a pleasant walk through Hertford Town centre. From the road, the route follows a very pleasant path along the headland of a field and past a copse of trees to reach the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City....

Christopher Lewis

Pleasant country walk including stretch of riverside and water meadows. A few sections of roadside walking along A119, paved verges all the way. Dry at time of walking....

Ruth

Not much to add to the other reviews, it was enjoyable, varied and fairly easy to navigate. Do watch out for all the new housing being built and whether it affects the route though....

Dan Barron

Some pavement walking through quaint Little Amwell, with petanque in progress on the village green opposite The Goat. Some narrow paths, a little mud, rough grass, cycle barriers and non-wheel friendly kissing gates make this walk unsuitable for wheels....

Strider

Watton at stone is a charming village (pick up some local baked goods from the Budgens) Hedgerows, views of a stately house, countryside, a chalk river, tons of wildlife, and plenty of park benches. As of January 2023 the river beane has been restored to natural banks which I'm sure makes this even more lovely. Easy to navigate, mud in winter still manageable...

Heather S.

Unsurprisingly for the time of year there was mud but most was very easy to walk through outside of a few short deeper bits and puddles including large one just before you get to the candlestick pub where I ended up having to skip over stones and cling to the hedgerow to get across....

Heather S.

This is an attractive varied walk between the towns of Hertford and Hoddesdon which would work well in either direction. Takes quiet streets from Hertford East station then uses the A414 underpass to get into open country. Some waymarking (to A414 underpass) and surfacing could be improved around stiles (London Road and Hailey Farm)....

Tim Hagyard

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....

Strider

I walked this route from Ware to Hertord in December 2022, a few days after the big snowstorm....

mtormey

The Cole Green Way, in the middle of the route, is a mix of tarmac and gravel sections. Suitable for walkers and average bicycles....

Nicholas Ruddick

Once we had crossed over the duel carriageway the walk took us alongside fields and used public pathways for most of the way....

Lara

This route is the same as Hather two at the beginning and end, but goes further south for the middle section in order to avoid the hairy B158 Lower Hatfield Road 500m section. This adds 3km, but it worth it - the north-south section either side of Essendon is really nice, with wooded bits and open fields, and it's a relief to be further from the A-road....

Hannah

It was all along really lovely bits and pieces of river, crossing the River Beane, then the River Rib, then along the River Lea and then the River Lea Navigation....

Hannah

In general the route is fine and more direct than Hather three, however I feel the road walking 500m stretch on the B158 is too dangerous. There is no pavement and blind corners (with no way of stepping off the road) on the B158 between Holwell Lane and the road to Letty Green....

Slow Ways Darren

There's a 1km walk along the A414 early on, and although there's a wide pavement/cycle path so it's not dangerous, it's still walking alongside a fast, busy road....

Hannah

This is a lovely route between Hertford and Ware, it's longer than the other routes but the river walk and views are lovely. It's car free (apart from the last bit along Ware high street) and quite fun to walk under the bridge with A414 roaring overhead. There are som styles and narrow gates though so it might not be the best route for everybody....

Slow Ways Darren

A path alongside the grave yard takes you to a hedge corridor past a sports centre and diagonally over a busy road up some steps into the countryside. a narrow path with a narrow bridge takes you to steps over the rail line. Not for wheels, narrow, steep in parts, narrow bridges and steps....

Strider

There are faster routes but this for most of the route avoids the NCN61 which runs down the south side of the river. Overall I prefer this walk when I have the time...

David Thomas

The natural route for walking from Hertford to Hatfield is unfortunately obstructed by the huge estate of Hatfield House. No one wants to walk along the verge of the busy A414, so walking routes have to go way to the south, or - as 'Hather One' does - to the north. Coming out of Hertford along West Street, I would recommend staying on West Street rather than following the path behind the back of the houses as the 'Hather One' route shows. The portion of the 'Hather One' route between the A414 and Howlands road in Welwyn Garden City is not clearly defined and was very muddy for most of the way. At the junction of the Cole Green Way with the A414, the route as currently shown follows the south side of the A414 for 400m, the asphalt footpath turning into a verge after 300m....

Colin Rice

Just north of Home Farm the track is not well maintained, and when I walked it there was a puddle the whole width of the track, which it was impossible to pass without getting my feet wet....

dstansby

Nice simple route between Ware and Hertford. Plenty of facilities at either end for food/drink. We’ll maintained footpaths mostly....

jimmyfatwing

A mix of paved and hard packed surface so a little bumpy in places for strollers with small/hard wheels....

Cpwhitehead

Nice flat walk as along an old railway line.Great for bikes too although it can be annoying for walkers constantly having to move aside! By the same token it can be annoying for cyclists having to avoid walkers!...

Gail Maisey

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

John D Bevan

Then immediately at the bridge over the canal take the ramp down on the left to the canal path 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....

iU3A

To avoid this obstacle leave the station by the main exit, turn right and walk 100m up to the main road, turn right again following the road bridge (into Bridge Road). Follow into Bridge Road East and on into to Herchswood Road Then turn left to pick up Cycleway Route 61. If you’ve gone over the footbridge, turn right at the foot and proceed straight across the first crossing: Photo3. The alternative is to turn right at this mini roundabout following the cycleway (toward Route 61). The Cole Green line seems to run straight ahead but the line is broken so you need to turn off to the right (signs to Hertford) Turn left to walk out to Hertford North, cross straight over then turn left toward Hertford East....

iU3A

This was an enjoyable route through lots of nice countryside, but the section along Tattle Hill/Bramfield Road had quite fast moving traffic with at times little space for walking. I would recommend that this part of the route is amended if an alternative route is possible. This was only a small section of a very nice walk though....

MB

Easy walking in beautiful countryside following the River Beane for much of the way. The river is a chalk stream, one of only 210 identified in the world (of which 160 are in England)....

engeeaitch