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 to 25 people, including the leader.
Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a long walk from sunrise to sunset! We’ll make the most of the limited daylight hours with an all-day walk setting off at 8am from Hitchin station, visiting the north-eastern fringe of the Chilterns.
We’ll explore two nature reserves, ancient paths, chalk streams and one or two hills, with a few refreshment stops to keep us going!
Weather permitting, we’ll hope to see the sun rising as we head from the station through the suburbs. We’ll join the Hitchin Outer Orbital Path (HOOP) alongside Ippolitts Brook on Hitchin’s southern outskirts, then leaving the town behind and entering farmland, we’ll pass Charlton and the source of the River Hiz. After a steep climb up Chalk Hill we can reward ourselves with snacks and hot drinks from the Dream Bean Cafe at Offley Hoo Farm.
We then head north through Great and Little Offley, picking up the Icknield Way Path and dropping into Knocking Hoe National Nature Reserve, a steep-sided valley with views over Bedfordshire. Nearby are two ancient burial mounds, one of which is said to be the resting place of a British chieftain and his treasure. We can have our packed lunches at Knocking Hoe then follow Wood Lane down to Pirton where we may visit one of the village pubs for a drink.
We continue east along the Icknield Way then re-join the HOOP northwest of Hitchin, taking us through Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve. We’ll follow the River Oughton past the reed beds and into the woods then turn uphill to Hitchin, arriving back in town at around sunset.
In Hitchin some may wish to stay in town to watch the ‘Farmers on Christmas Lights Tour’ decorated tractor convoy due to arrive at 7.30pm. Directions will be given to those who prefer to head straight back to the station.
NB. this walk is marked strenuous due to length; do make sure you're fit enough if you want to join this walk. Please note the early start time, dress appropriately for the weather and bring plenty of food and drink for the day!
Dogs are welcome (on a lead) if accustomed to distance.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and please check back regularly in case you do get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a circular.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for 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 purchase membership. 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.
Hitchin Railway Station, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9UL. Meet at the Meeting Point between the ticket office and the car park (to your left if exiting the station). Parking £3.60.
