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 30 people, including the leader.
A short walk at golden hour to the countryside northwest of Hitchin, on the evening of the full Flower Moon.
Meeting opposite St Mary's Church, we'll walk through the churchyard and along paths and alleyways, joining part of the Hitchin Outer Orbital Path. The HOOP will take us into the countryside, through farmland to the source of the River Oughton, one of Hertfordshire’s many globally-rare chalk streams.
We'll walk alongside the stream's clear waters, passing through woodland and into Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve. Here the river flows through dense reedbeds. On leaving the river we'll walk through meadows grazed by longhorn cattle.
Returning towards town, we'll hope for a view of the sunset and the rising moon then walk uphill past the cricket club and back to Hitchin town centre.
After the walk there's the option of a drink nearby at the new craft beer tasting room 'Teller'.
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: If you would like to join, you must book in advance using the Stag Walkers Meetup group - see Notes for how to book & what to bring. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your booking so that someone else can take your place.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
Please car-share or use public transport if possible. To offer a lift or ask for one from a fellow walker, please use the Meetup event page.
This is a circular walk.
Please be aware of the walk grade: walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous
Use our Meetup group to book your place on the walk: https://www.meetup.com/StagWalkers/
Book your place via the Stag Walkers Meetup group by clicking the ‘Attend’ button on the event page. If the walk is full, click ‘join waitlist’ and you will be added if a place becomes available. If you’re on the waitlist, please check back regularly to see if you have been added to the attending list.
Please:
DO NOT book onto a walk unless you are pretty sure you will be able to make it.
UPDATE YOUR RSVP. We understand ‘life happens’ so if you need to change your RSVP please do this at least 24 hours before the walk and before booking closes to enable someone else to take your place.
DON’T NO-SHOW on the day unless it is absolutely unavoidable (we do understand ‘life happens’) because it prevents others from enjoying a walk if it is fully booked.
*TAKE NOTE that if you no-show and/or cancel after the booking closing deadline three times, without extenuating circumstances, we will decline further bookings from you for a period of six weeks.*
Bring a packed lunch/snacks and drinks, appropriate clothing for the conditions and optionally a basic first aid kit.
Please follow NHS guidelines and do not attend the walk if you are unwell.
We are a Ramblers group, non members are welcome to try us out for two or 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 become a full member. 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.
St Mary's Square Car Park, Queen Street, Hitchin SG4 9TN. Free parking after 6pm / 15 mins' walk from Hitchin Railway Station. Meet in the northwest corner of the car park near the steps to Churchyard Walk, overlooking Portmill Car Park (w3w///grant.item.closed).
