We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and slightly older, offering led walks and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
This walk is for up not 30 people, including the leader.
Part 6 of an epic long-distance trail around Hertfordshire - join us for any of these!
Please note this is a linear walk from Tring Station to Hemel Hempstead. Drivers may wish to park at Hemel Hempstead station, take the train to Tring for the start of the route then walk back to their cars.
From Tring Station we head back out to where we descended from Ashridge on the previous section of the Hertfordshire Way and scale the slope of Tom’s Hill to regain the southern part of that ridge. Making our way through the woods and along a section of the Icknield Way Trail, we then skirt the edge of the grassy expanse of Northchurch Common and cross into Berkhamsted Common. Following the tree line, we see a beautiful alpine meadow to the east.
Soon we discover that Berkhamsted golf course does not just have bunkers but also trenches, built by “The Devil’s Own” Inns Of Court Officers Training Corps prior to deployment on the Western Front during World War One. Descending through farmland where we may encounter horses, we enter Berkhamsted town, where we find that the century-old WW1 trenches are dwarfed by a millennium-old but much larger 11th-century castle with water-filled motte, walls and bailey. As Napoleon noted, armies and walking groups march on their stomachs, so in this Norman fortress we make camp to consume our field rations.
Then, with the rallying cry of “Onward to the pub and glory!” we are off on manoeuvres again, on very different terrain as we join the towpath of the Grand Union Canal. Passing an unexpected Native American totem pole we shortly arrive at the freehouse of The Rising Sun for the promised beverages and glory (the sign warns that it is a Local Pub for Local People, but don’t worry, that is a just reference to a TV series that everyone in Stag Walkers is too young to have seen, and I only know about it because I asked an old person).
With our whistles wetted it is not much further along the towpath, passing locks, a boat yard and various interestingly named narrowboats, till we reach Hemel Hempstead, with the station just off to the right of the canal. There is also another pub conveniently located here, and while we will not have gone far enough to have earned a second refreshment, if the sun is out…
Pleas note that this walk is not suitable for dogs.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: If you would like to join, you must book in advance using the Stag Walkers Meetup group - see Notes for how to book & what to bring. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your booking so that someone else can take your place.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
Please car-share or use public transport if possible. To offer a lift or ask for one from a fellow walker, please use the Meetup event page.
This is a linear walk.
Please be aware of the walk grade: walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous
Use our Meetup group to book your place on the walk: https://www.meetup.com/StagWalkers/
Book your place via the Stag Walkers Meetup group by clicking the ‘Attend’ button on the event page. If the walk is full, click ‘join waitlist’ and you will be added if a place becomes available. If you’re on the waitlist, please check back regularly to see if you have been added to the attending list.
Please:
DO NOT book onto a walk unless you are pretty sure you will be able to make it.
UPDATE YOUR RSVP. We understand ‘life happens’ so if you need to change your RSVP please do this at least 24 hours before the walk and before booking closes to enable someone else to take your place.
DON’T NO-SHOW on the day unless it is absolutely unavoidable (we do understand ‘life happens’) because it prevents others from enjoying a walk if it is fully booked.
*TAKE NOTE that if you no-show and/or cancel after the booking closing deadline three times, without extenuating circumstances, we will decline further bookings from you for a period of six weeks.*
Bring a packed lunch/snacks and drinks, appropriate clothing for the conditions and optionally a basic first aid kit.
Please follow NHS guidelines and do not attend the walk if you are unwell.
We are a Ramblers group, non members are welcome to try us out for two or three free walks before joining Ramblers as a full member.
As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to Ramblers until they become a full member. We suggest £3-4 per walk. You can donate in person or online.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
Meet in Tring Station carpark (on right / east side of tracks) by the ticket machine. THIS IS A LINEAR WALK. It is suggested that drivers park at Hemel Hempstead station and catch the 10:21, 10:42 or 10:51 train to Tring, arriving at Tring station no later than 11:02. PARKING IN TRING WHERE WALK STARTS: Free parking on Beggars Lane, Tring HP23 5PT or Tring station car park £6.40
PARKING IN HEMEL HEMPSTEAD WHERE WALK ENDS: Hemel Hempstead Station Car Park, 501 London Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BQ. Parking £5.10
