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

Small parade of shops at Oaklands, then uphill and upmarket to a wooded area and across fields with horses, Gates here are surrounded by stoach (mud churned up by many foot/hoof prints) which after recent rain was wet and sticky. Then fenced-in paths around field edges before crossing a road and crossing vast open fields with views....

Strider

Walkers need to be careful of the route they follow through Knebworth Park grounds as it is easy to go off track and also beyond that (and public footpath signage in Knebworth Park is not very clear). NB: on Slip Lane to go into woods to Old Knebworth, the first footpath sign (1/2 mile to Knebworth Park) leads to an overgrown wooded and waterlogged area where there is no clear path - however, if you continue along Slip Lane you shortly come to a second footpath (also 1/2 mile to Knebworth Park) which leads you across a field - clearly marked - and this goes to Old Park Lane....

Bernie W

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

There is a short section of walking in the road which involves crossing in order to keep in sight. Walking through Stevenage train carpark is unpleasant....

Strider

I'm not a fan of vast open fields but the curvaceous chalkland masked the lack of hedges and gave beautiful views....

Strider

The route isn't accurate in places as others have pointed out and though it would be the most direct route it takes you through some shady areas (eg. between Tesco HQ and the train tracks; through the car park where youths loiter). The other two routes seem more suitable and aren't significantly longer....

Slowfie

Of the routes from Welwyn Garden City to Oaklands this seems to be the one that keeps your away from traffic and in nature the longest (only the first bit is near main roads and they are not particularly busy and certainly not fast). The walk goes through two different woods - obviously not perfect for solo walkers but I don't think there is a way to avoid that without sticking to main roads (which are rather busy and so noise/pollution could be an issue)....

Slowfie

The Harmer Green Lane section lacks pavements for much of it so might be worth going up New Road and across Adele Avenue if you want to keep away from cars for as long as possible - you can't avoid cars for the last part but it is *meant* to be 20mph now (which some people even stick to!)....

Anthony

As the author noted, the first part of this route is on rather busy roads (some of which are 40mph) - there are paths so it will be safe but might not be the best for fresh air fans/asthmatics. Once you've crossed Hertford Road the route is much more pleasant with some views of the local area looking south. A bit longer than necessary, but only by 0.6mi so not a huge deal....

Anthony

This is hopefully a better route between WGC and Oakland than the two existing ones as it should be accurate, and the walk avoids cars and associated pollution It takes you through Sherrardspark Wood and past Digswell Viaduct/Nature Reserve so is far more pleasant for my money....

Anthony

The path goes through a permissive byway into Knebworth House grounds where you get a lovely view of the manor before going back to woods and farmlands with lots of ponds before finally entering Stevenage....

Heather S.

As mentioned the section right out of Welwyn is not that amazing as it is a cycle track along a busy road, but I couldn't find a better reasonable alternative. After that, the whole way was fantastic with gently rolling hills. As it was January when I walked it there was of course mud, but generally was not too bad....

Heather S.

Unfortunately the whole section between Welwyn Garden City and Welwyn North is a bit of a mess. You start by walking through a private car park, then the map shows a route on the wrong side of the track, then it indicates a footpath between Knightsfield and Bessemer (that is also shown on my map) that effectively doesn't exist as it's overgrown, full of rubbish, and blocked by trees. This needs a bit of scouting to find a good alternative....

Heather S.

Quite a bit of road walking in the first part but along pleasant tree lined streets. The second part is a lovely walk along footpaths and through woods...

Gail Maisey

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

The section of the walk between Harmer Green Lane and Oaklands was a very nice end to the route....

MB

There's an issue with access at the Oaklands end as the suggested path is not a right of way and through a private Scout camp....

SarahHW

A good route with stopping points in picturesque Ayot St Lawrence (Brocket Arms pub; Shaw's corner National Trust property) and Codicote (pubs, cafes and shops in high street)....

Ian Bailey