Walk 109: Aldenham Loop

4.7 miles (7.5 km) with 87m total ascent

 

A circular route in the Colne valley to the north of Aldenham taking in some old byways through farmland, paths through parkland, and a stretch alongside the River Colne with opportunities for dogs and children to paddle. 

This route often gets flooded after heavy rain. If it's been raining recently it's probably worth choosing a different walk. This route is probably one to save for dry weather.

Directions

Map for Walk 109: Aldenham Loop
Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker
Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors
There is an interactive map below the directions

Those with GPS devices can download GPX or KML files for this walk. We've added What3Words location references for those who use that navigation system. If you print these walks you might want to use the green PrintFriendly icon at the bottom of these directions to delete elements you don't need.

Park in the village of Aldenham, grid reference (location - https://w3w.co/plenty.truly.chemistry), and make your way E along Church Lane until you reach Red Lion Close on your left (location - https://w3w.co/detect.belt.edits).

The footpath at the top of Red Lion Close at the start of the walk

1: Turn left and head NNE up Red Lion Close until you reach a footpath at the top (location - https://w3w.co/ripe.lamp.codes). This is Aldenham footpath 10 (see image above). Follow this footpath NNE for 1.4km crossing a track along the way (location - https://w3w.co/oval.visa.robe) and continuing heading NE then N until you reach a metal gate where the path turns to the right to reach Blackbirds Farm, (location - https://w3w.co/fame.lakes.debate), see image of the turn below.

The gate and right turn to Blackbirds Farm mentioned in point 1 above

2: Continue heading NE through the farmyard, now on Aldenham restricted byway 82 (also known as Blackbirds Lane) and continue for 140m until the track turns to the left just after the last farm building on your left (location - https://w3w.co/placed.order.rank).

Continue along Aldenham restricted byway 82, heading NW for 910m until you reach a T-junction at River Lodge (location - https://w3w.co/slams.bliss.pipe).

3: Here you turn right on Aldenham restricted byway 22. Ignore the first path on the left and head NNW, NE then N for 430m to another track going off to your left (location - https://w3w.co/backs.fetch.lovely). This is Aldenham footpath 24 (see image below).

The left turn for Aldenham footpath 24 mentioned in point 3 above

4: Turn left here on Aldenham footpath 24 and head W for 300m crossing the River Colne. Immediately after the river you reach Munden Farm (location - https://w3w.co/take.jolly.mining).

Head N between the farm buildings until you reach a footpath on the left

5: Turn right at the farm and head N through the farm building on St Stephen footpath 51 for 40m looking out for a footpath on the left after the last farm building on your left (location - https://w3w.co/sizes.decent.claim).

St Stephen footpath 50 to the left of the last farm building

Take this path, St Stephen footpath 50, and climb the hill heading WSW for 460m until you meet a junction in the track (location - https://w3w.co/about.older.impose).

St Stephen bridleway 9 mentioned in point 6 below

6: Turn left at this junction and head SE on St Stephen bridleway 9 for 330m looking out for a footpath on your right (location - https://w3w.co/mining.proven.galaxy), see image below.

The footpath on the right mentioned in point 6 above

Cross the track and head S and then SSW across the field

7: Turn right on this path and head S for 290m to the point where a track crosses the path (location - https://w3w.co/watch.grit.fine), see image above. Cross the path and head S before taking the right-hand fork (location - https://w3w.co/leaned.length.steep) and following the footpath markers as you head SSW for 360m to a bridge over the river (location - https://w3w.co/themes.given.blame).

Don't cross the river at this point but turn sharp right before the bridge

8: Do not cross the river but, instead, turn sharp right before the bridge (see image above) and follow the footpath NW uphill for 190m until you reach a track (location - https://w3w.co/elite.shall.copies), see image below.

Turn left on the track and head WSW for 440m

Turn left on this track and follow it WSW for 440m.

Turn left after the cattle grid and head SE

9: After passing the cattle grid (see image above) take the track on your left (location - https://w3w.co/music.races.energy). This is Watford Borough footpath 65, later becoming Aldenham footpath 65, and head SE and S for 160m to a bridge over a brook (location - https://w3w.co/bonds.mice.eating).

The brook mentioned in point 9 above

Cross the brook and continue heading S for 450m with the River Colne on your left until you reach a bridge over the river (location - https://w3w.co/bridge.slice.wants).

A popular paddling spot for dogs and children between points 9 and 10

The bridge over the River Colne mentioned in point 9 above

10: Cross the river, cross a track, and head SE along Aldenham footpath 90 for 170m to Otterspool Lane (location - https://w3w.co/rots.class.rally).

The gate leading to Aldenham footpath 16 mentioned below

Take the track opposite and slightly to your left and go through a gate (see image above). Take the left fork immediately after the gate and continue heading SE on Aldenham footpath 16 across the golf course for 420m ignoring several golfer tracks to your left and right, and continue until your path meets a T-junction. You will see a bench straight ahead (see image below).

The bench where you turn right and head back to Aldenham village

11: Turn right on the bridleway and follow it SE for 670m back to Aldenham village. Just before you reach the village you can take a left turn off the bridleway (see image below) which will take you through to the village green opposite the church.

The left turn back to Aldenham village mentioned above

* There is a pub, The Round Bush, 580m from the start/finish point. Head SE down Church Lane, left on Radlett Road, right on Roundbush Lane and the pub is on the left.

Thanks to Sophie and Mike for recommending this walk. Their route was a slightly shorter loop which we extended by about two miles.

Interactive map

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