Hertfordshire Walks

Hertford Walks & Route Maps

Hertford walk, Hertfordshire
Hertford · Photo: Local Walks Team

Set around the historic market town of Hertford, these walks combine riverside paths, canal towpaths and easy town centre exploring.

From a short, accessible loop around Hartham Park and the castle grounds to a longer route linking Hertford with Ware via the River Lee Navigation and Kings Meads Nature Reserve, these walks offer a relaxed way to enjoy both towns and the surrounding waterside scenery.

Download the Hertfordshire Walks App to follow these routes with real-time GPS navigation.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Walk information

Hertford Walk 1

Walk distance
2¼ miles
Time
1 hour
Route type
Circular

This first route option is a short easy-access stroll around the pretty market town of Hertford and Hartham Park. The paths are all tarmac, and there are only a few mild ascents on the route, so it's suitable for all wheels.

You'll visit the grounds of the old historic castle in Hertford, stroll through the streets of the lovely market town itself, visit a lovely riverside pub and stroll along the canal.

It's also a great walk for the kids as you'll visit a huge newly-built sandpit play park with water puzzles for the kids to enjoy. There is also a section under a bridge where lots of kids paddle in the shallow water on the hot summer days, making this a great family walk.

Refreshments:

The Old Barge, Hertford

The Woolpack, Hertford

Train Station:

Hertford East

Hertford Walk 1 4.2 Ratings and reviews 10 ratings · 3 reviews

Based on 10 user ratings

Community feedback

Overall rating4.2

A very popular walk

Dog friendly3.1 / 5
Path condition4.3 / 5
Buggy friendly3.9 / 5
Wheelchair friendly2.9 / 5
Toilet facilities3.0 / 5
Pub or café2.9 / 5
Route accuracy4.7 / 5
ClimbingGentle slopes
LivestockNo livestock
StilesNo stiles
Mud levelDry underfoot

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Hertfordshire Walks app.

First-hand experiences

User reviews

Walker review

Loved this walk the town of Hertford is so lovely

Walker review

First walk using this app and we loved it!! Great route!

Walker review

A great walk for wet weather as there were no muddy sections. Dogs could be off lead for the first half and it was busy with dog walkers, even on a grey February day. Good mix of park, riverside and town. We stopped at The Woolpack which was very welcoming. I imagine the area gets very busy in good weather. The playground looked great for children.

Walk information

Hertford Walk 2

Walk distance
6½ miles
Time
3 hours
Route type
Circular

If you have a whole day to spend, then this second option is a long walk that is a wonderful tale of two pretty market towns and the canal and nature reserve that connects them.

The walk starts in Hertford and enjoys all of the historic buildings, parks and pubs from the first route.

Then, you'll enjoy a long peaceful walk along the canal towpath all the way to the equally pretty market town of Ware where you'll find more historic buildings, pubs and restaurants.

After that, you'll then make your way back to Hertford via a long walk through the gorgeous Kings Meads Nature Reserve, which is a wonderful section for wildlife enthusiasts.

Refreshments:

The Old Barge, Hertford

The Woolpack, Hertford

Saracen's Head, Ware

Waterside Inn, Ware

Ware Coffee Lab, Ware

Train Station:

Hertford East

Ware

Hertford Walk 2 4.8 Ratings and reviews 13 ratings · 3 reviews

Based on 13 user ratings

Community feedback

Overall rating4.8

An outstanding walk

Dog friendly4.1 / 5
Path condition4.2 / 5
Buggy friendly2.1 / 5
Wheelchair friendly1.8 / 5
Toilet facilities3.1 / 5
Pub or café3.6 / 5
Route accuracy4.9 / 5
ClimbingGentle slopes
LivestockRarely any livestock
StilesNo stiles
Mud levelMay be muddy after wet weather

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Hertfordshire Walks app.

First-hand experiences

User reviews

Walker review

Two lovely towns, a nature reserve and a riverside walk. A great combination and easy to boot.

Walker review

A very pleasant walk. Lots of cafes and amazing pubs in Ware and Hertford. Considering we walked this in February, there was only a short muddy part if the route on the way back to Hertford.

Walker review

Lovely adventure!

Navigate the walks

Hertfordshire Walks App

Follow the Hertford walks with GPS guidance

It's like sat-nav, but for footpaths.

Choose a walk and follow the pointer showing your live position on the route map, so you always know you're on the right path.

The app works without a phone signal, so you can keep following the route wherever the walk takes you.

Download the app

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Hertfordshire Walks app showing the walker's live position on a route map

Designed to be simple

  • Choose a walk and follow the pointer
  • See your live position on the route map
  • Works without a phone signal
  • Includes 400 Hertfordshire walks
  • Free one-month trial
  • Available for iPhone and Android

Explore the area

Nearby walks

Explore the county

Hertfordshire walks map

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Search Hertfordshire walks

See where the walks start, explore the area and tap a pin to find a route for your next adventure.

Search Hertfordshire walks
Expanded route map for Hertford Walk 1, a 2.25 mile circular walk in Hertfordshire