I have uploaded an alternative walkable route, but it is also not good as I don't know this area, I hope a local person can upload a definitive walkable path. Lower Stondon is small but the Local Store has a large selection of beers, English, Scottish, Belgium, Dutch, real, craft and tins....

Strider

I do, however, have slight reservations about some of the in-road walking where there are no verges, or sporadic narrow verges, especially on the busier roads. There are nice paths out of Stevenage, close to but not next to traffic, then some verge walking to Symonds Green with benches and a nice pub (The Tranquil Turtle). More verge walking along Arch Road (hop into the field instead) followed by an open field and then more verge walking, crossing one side to another. There are some lovely parts of this walk through open countryside rather let down by some uncomfortable verge walking....

Strider

Living in Ickleford I often walk to Hitchin station and the route here is what I would call "the scenic route" as it follows the river through some lovely off road parks. I would not choose to walk to station that way if in a hurry and not in winter, the way following roads and pavements along Bury Mead Road or Strathmore road to meet the route at Grove Road, would be easier and faster, better for pushchairs etc....

greysquirrel

A pleasant and easy to follow route mainly avoiding the busy A505 Cambridge Road....

Graham

Unfortunately you do sometimes have to cross dual carriageways/busy roads with inadequate/no warnings to the drivers that walkers might be crossing and no easy way across (this same crossing is on the Hertfordshire Way route and I have just returned from walking the Peddars Way national trail where I had to cross a busy dual carriageway) so regrettably it cannot always be avoided when planning routes such as this. I also walked the alternative route via Redcoats Green avoiding this crossing a couple of times which has some fast moving traffic, a couple of sharp corners and no verge for a lot of the way so you do need to take care, stay alert and ensure that you are fully visible to drivers. I enjoyed this walk which was mainly on quiet streets (until the A1072!) and through some lovely countryside hence my higher rating however I do acknowledge that the crossing of the dual carriageway and possibly the alternative route will not be appealing to many people....

Graham

You can just turn right at the end of the Rec onto Grove Road to go under the bridge on the pavement or alternatively there is a small track along the river to the right of the basketball court. I attach 2 photos of the paths and one of a small bridge between Ickleford and Lower Stondon and one of the track by the river between Grove Road and Ickleford....

Graham

From Stevenage, using a route through Todds Green (Clovelly Way, Fishers Green, Stevenage Rd, Chantry Lane)to brings you out East of Little Wymondley, where you can pick up the trail again. following the Stevenage road/a602 into Hitchin, instead of following footpath from edge of Little Wymondley...

hickem01

Used the OS Map to follow the route as there are quite a few footpaths going in different directions. With the map it was pretty easy to follow....

Graham

Narrow pedestrian access under Hitchin railway bridge....

Black Squirrel

There are some nice parts to this route but there are some negatives including a potentially dangerous road crossing. Once in Stevenage, the route as plotted goes along Clovelly Way, which has no pavement; you need to take paths around the houses instead, joining a footpath / cycle path that winds past some office buildings. The countryside between Hitchin and Stevenage is pleasant and several paths on this route are nice to walk along but this wouldn’t be my favoured route between these towns....

Al M

A pleasant and direct walk between Hitchin and Letchworth. There were some nice views, particularly in the middle of the walk. The route felt safe and was enjoyable to walk....

MB

There is a mini supermarket on Hitchin station approaches, and pubs on route. The footpath under the railway bridge at Hitchin is on the opposite side of the road to the station and it is narrow (less than 1 metre)....

Black Squirrel

The route is gently uphill to Offley mainly on a farm track which is deeply rutted in places....

Il Chimico

Lovely flat walk mainly off road....

Michrah

The out of town off road parts mainly follow the Letchworth Greenway which is well maintained path and goes through some lovely countryside....

greysquirrel

The route within Hitchin and just north of the town avoids too much pavement walking, instead going through a park, along a short riverside path and through a nature reserve....

Al M