Walks near water

A scene from Walk 157: Wilstone Loop

A member of our Hertfordshire Walker Facebook group asked for recommendations for walks near water, in particular canals or rivers. I have chosen 28 walks from our collection of walks which are listed below in two groups. The first group are walks close to water for most of the route, the second group have sections that are close to water.

Walks near canals and reservoirs

A scene from Walk 24: Lee Valley Middle Loop

The first group of walks featured below are those that follow Hertfordshire's canals and waterway for a large part of their route. Some include reservoirs. The canals you will visit include the Grand Union, the River Lee Navigation (which follows the River Lea), and New River.

Walk 244: Stanstead Abbotts South-East Loop
6.3 miles (10.1 km) with 72m of total ascent

Walk 228: Tring Long Loop
10.2 miles (16.5 km) with 210m of total ascent

Walk 214: Great Amwell Riverside Loop
5.7 miles (9.2 km) with 38m of total ascent

Walk 158: Wigginton East Loop
5.1 miles (8.2 km) with 126m of total ascent

Walk 157: Wilstone Loop
5.6 miles (9 km) with 64m of total ascent

Walk 24: Lee Valley Middle Loop
3 miles (4.8 km) with 10m of total ascent

Walks near rivers and lakes

The River Beane on walk 206: Waterford Heath North-East Loop

The second group features walks that include a short section of riverside walking with the majority of the route in open countryside. The Hertfordshire rivers featured include the rivers Mimram, Beane, Colne, Lea, and Rib.

Walk 263: Stapleford East Loop
3.1 miles (5.1 km) with 24m of total ascent

Walk 258: Wheathampstead South-East Loop
7.7 miles (12.3 km) with 114m of total ascent

Walk 257: Thundridge East Loop
6 miles (9.7 km) with 70m of total ascent

Walk 246: Lemsford West Long Loop
4.9 miles (7.9 km) with 98m of total ascent

Walk 239: Willows Lakes West Loop
3.5 miles (5.6km) with 27m of total ascent

Walk 220: Stapleford North Loop
4.6 miles (7.4 km) with 85m of total ascent

Walk 206: Waterford Heath North-East Loop
4 miles (6.5 km) with 72m of total ascent

Walk 174: Ayot St Lawrence South-West Loop
6 miles (9.6 km) with 104m of total ascent

Walk 120: Ver Valley Loop
3.9 miles (6.3 km) with 39m of total ascent

Walk 119: Colne Valley South Loop
5.4 miles (8.7 km) with 46m of total ascent

Walk 112: Sarratt West Loop
5.2 miles (8.3 km) with 114m total ascent

Walk 110: Willows Lakes
4.5 miles (7.3 km) with 64m of total ascent

Walk 101: Colney Heath Loop
2.4 miles (3.9 km) with 32m total ascent

Walk 97: Ware South-East Loop
6.8 miles (11 km) with 91m total ascent

Walk 95: Ware West Loop
4 miles (6.4 km) with 34m total ascent

Walk 91: Wadesmill East Loop
5.5 miles (8.9 km) with 113m of total ascent

Walk 84: Waterford Heath Loop
2 miles (3.2 km) with 50m of total ascent

Walk 80: Panshanger Park Long Loop
4.7 miles (7.64 km) with 83m total ascent

Walk 79: Panshanger Park Short Loop
3 miles (4.77 km) with 48m total ascent

Walk 30: Colney Heath South Loop
3.8 miles (6.1 km) with 31m total ascent

Walk 24: Lee Valley Middle Loop
3 miles (4.8 km) with 10m of total ascent

Walk 13: The Candlestick Loop
4.1 miles (6.6 km) with 110m total ascent

Walk 5: The River Lea Loop
3 miles (4.9 km) with 63m total ascent

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