We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and a bit beyond, offering guided hikes and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
Gavin F
This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.
The final part of an epic long-distance trail around Hertfordshire!
The Hertfordshire Way is a 200-mile route around the county, which we’ve been walking in sections each month since January 2024. Don’t worry if you’ve missed previous parts of the series - everyone is welcome to join this walk.
This final leg takes us from Baldock to Hitchin through farmland, parkland and past some small woods, via the villages of Weston and Graveley. There are some moderate slopes, primarily near the start.
Please note this is a linear walk from Baldock to Hitchin, which are linked by the Kings Cross - Cambridge railway line. Drivers can choose to park at either the start or end point of the walk.
Leaving Baldock via the back streets, we will head uphill as we approach Weston, passing Holy Trinity Church where the legendary Jack O'Legs is supposedly buried. Jack was reputed to be a giant and Hertfordshire’s own Robin Hood. Arrested for stealing and sentenced to death by the bakers of Baldock, his last wish was to shoot an arrow from his bow and be buried where it landed. His arrow apparently flew three miles, glancing off the church tower before hitting the ground.
We will stop for packed lunch at Weston recreation ground, then head through Weston Park (a remnant of a medieval deer park) to reach Warrens Green and the northern edge of Stevenage. Following the Stevenage Outer Orbital Path (STOOP) and skirting around the town boundary, we come to the site of Chesfield, a deserted village; the ruins of St Etheldreda's Church are still visible.
After this, we will head to Graveley via Forster Country, named after EM Forster who lived in the area and was the author of novels including Howards End, The Machine Stops and A Passage to India. The land is currently being developed on, but the public footpath remains open.
When we reach Graveley, we will divert from the Hertfordshire Way for a drinks stop at the Waggon and Horses, located on the Great North Road. We then rejoin the STOOP by Graveley duck pond and head towards Hitchin, passing under the A1(M) and joining the Garden City 15 route for a short time as we pass north of Great Wymondley.
Here we leave the Hertfordshire Way but continue to Hitchin, where we began our epic journey 21 months ago. We will briefly join the Hitchin Outer Orbital Path (HOOP) before cutting through Purwell Meadows, then arrive at Hitchin railway station where anyone who wants to can catch a train back to Baldock.
After the walk, for those who would like to celebrate our completion of the Hertfordshire Way (don't worry if you've not attended all the walks) there is the option of food & drink at The Radcliffe Arms, five minutes’ walk from the station. We have a space booked but there is capacity for only 18 people, so please book early using the spreadsheet that will be shared via Meetup, as it will be first come first served. Others may be able to get a place if people have to drop out. Please see comments in the Meetup event for the pub menu and spreadsheet for food orders and please note that we need to submit food orders before Sunday 21 September.
Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs, due to some narrow road sections with no footpath.
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, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely 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 linear walk.
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: Stone King LLP, Boundary House, 91 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HR.
Hitchin Railway Station, Walsworth Road SG4 9UL, parking £3,70; alternatively, park at Queen Mother Theatre, Woodside car park, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, SG4 9SP (parking £5.20), 10 minutes' walk from Hitchin railway station. Catch the 10:17 train to Baldock from Platform 2 (arrives 10.25). The walk leader will not be travelling from the meeting point, so walkers are advised to make their own way to the station from here.
Baldock railway station, Station Road, Baldock, Herts, SG7 5BU. Turn immediately left out of the station to meet near the cycle storage. Parking £3.30 at the station car park or £1.80 around 10 mins walk away at The Twitchell Car Park, Simpson Drive, Baldock SG7 6DN. Alternatively, drivers may wish to park near to the end point in Hitchin (see meeting point).
Hitchin Station, Walsworth Road SG4 9UL
