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 challenging hike in the north-east corner of the Chilterns National Landscape, along grassy tracks and wooded lanes and up and down several hills!
This route has been designed to practice hill walking in advance of our long weekend in the Lake District. Our local hills are modest by national standards but the route has steeper and more numerous ascents and descents than normal for our group. The walk is open to everyone but please ensure you have a good level of walking fitness if you wish to join us on this walk. It is recommended only for experienced country walkers with an above average level of fitness.
Starting in the village of Great Offley, we'll cross the bridge over the Luton-Hitchin bypass then have our first taste of the Chiltern Hills with a loop down Stocking Lane and back up Birkitt Hill. We continue northeast past Summer Wood and across an arable field as we make our way towards Old Wellbury. We then turn westwards and have a steep ascent up Deacon Hill, where we’ll pause for our packed lunch break and can enjoy superb views across the countryside.
After lunch we’ll continue across the Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve, dipping in and out of its little valleys where we may encounter sheep and perhaps some highland cows. We join the Icknield Way Path for a short time, passing under ancient beech trees and along a wide byway, before turning southeast along the John Bunyan Trail.
We’ll turn to climb up to the plateau of Lilley Hoo, then descend to Lilley where we’ll break at the village pub for a refresher before our last 2.5 miles. This final section sees us cross paddocks and walk uphill along the Chiltern Way then along field-edge bridleways back to Great Offley.
Optional post-walk pub stop at The Green Man in Great Offley.
In case of mud, please bring a change of shoes for visiting the 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: 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.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
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.
Meet by the village sign at Offley Hill crossroads, opposite The Green Man pub, 5 High St, Great Offley, Hitchin SG5 3AR. Park considerately on nearby streets e.g. High Street or School Lane. Alternatively take the Arriva bus service 100 or 101 from Hitchin or Luton.
