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.
This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader (with 15 reserved for Stag Walkers and 15 for the YPA).
This short walk sets out from Hitchin station, passing through nature reserves, crossing farmland on footpaths and tracks and feature some urban walking as well. The route will be mostly on the flat with a small hill towards the end of the route.
On this walk Stag Walkers will be teaming up with the YPA, an events and social club for young professionals working at Airbus in Stevenage. There will be 15 spaces for Stag Walkers and 15 spaces for YPA members (this balance may be adjusted based on demand).
The walk will start at Hitchin railway station and first head to Walsworth Common, one of the two commons in Hitchin crossed by the River Purwell. Leaving the common, we will follow the Purwell as best we can down Cadwell Lane, crossing under the East Coast Main Line to arrive at Burymead Springs. Though small, this local nature reserve features reedbed habitats, which are now rare in Hertfordshire, which support a variety of wildlife; there has even been evidence of otters in the area.
Our route then continues along the course of the old Hitchin-Bedford rail line, the evidence of which can still be seen, including the infamous local landmark Gerry's Hole. We will then arrive at the village of Ickleford, where we will take a short break on the village green.
Leaving Ickleford we will join the HOOP (Hitchin Outer Orbital Path), which will take us across farmland with views to the Chiltern Hills. This will bring us to Oughtonhead Common, where we will stop for lunch. This local nature reserve features a range of wildlife habitats and is maintained using traditional grazing by English Longhorn cattle (which we might spot as we walk through the reserve).
Our walk continues through the reserve and out across fields to the byway of Gray's Lane, which we will follow back into the centre of Hitchin. From there we will head to our finishing point back at the station. After the walk there is the option of a post-walk drink at one of the nearby pubs.
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
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 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 circular 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: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
Hitchin railway station, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9UL For those travelling by car, free parking is available a 5-10 minute walk away at Woodside Car Park (SG4 9SG). Or parking is available at the station for £3.70 (pay by app). If arriving by train on the Cambridge line, please note that there is a bus replacement service on this line, so please ensure you leave plenty of time for arrival.
