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 has 25 places, including the leader.
The Stevenage Outer Orbital Path (STOOP) was developed by North Herts Ramblers and launched in September 2008. To celebrate its 15th anniversary, we’ll be walking the whole trail over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Rather than skirting the edge of the town, the STOOP goes through the wonderful countryside surrounding Stevenage, linking several villages and touching the border of Hitchin. We’ve split the circular route into two linear walks between Hitchin and Knebworth, of 14 and 18 miles - join us for one or both of these!
On this second and longer day of our STOOP challenge we’ll start at Knebworth station and pick up the trail at Woolmer Green, then pass through Walkern, Weston and Graveley before returning to Hitchin.
We suggest drivers park in Hitchin then catch the rail replacement bus to Knebworth to begin the walk.
On leaving Knebworth we’ll first head east through farmland and past Datchworth church before turning north along a quiet country lane towards Hooks Cross. We’ll pass the ancient Astonbury Wood then follow the River Beane alongside fields and through meadows until we reach a former water mill on the outskirts of Walkern. Eight miles into our walk, we’ll stop for our lunch break at the park in Walkern and can buy snacks and drinks from the village shop.
We’ll next turn west, heading out of the Beane Valley towards Weston. We’ll go through Weston Park, a former deer park which once belonged to Anne Boleyn, scattered with oak trees which may date back to medieval times. At Weston we’ll stop for a drink at the Cricketers, twelve miles into our walk.
Leaving Weston, we’ll see Hitchin ahead of us and the Pegsdon Hills beyond, before heading down the holloway of Brooks Hill and into Graveley, where we’ll cross the Great North Road. Finally, our last four-mile stretch will see us pass along fields north of Wymondley, reaching Hitchin at Purwell Ninesprings then retracing our steps from our first part of the STOOP the previous morning.
After crossing Purwell Meadows, we can stop at the Millstream for a drink and perhaps a well-earned meal!
Please note this is a long walk recommended only for experienced walkers. Make sure you bring plenty of food and drink.
Dogs are welcome (on a lead) if accustomed to distance.
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 linear walk.
Please be aware of the walk grade: walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous.
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.
If you have any questions or need to contact the leader about the walk, please post on the Meetup event page.
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, and optionally a basic first aid kit & hand sanitiser.
For more information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
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 9.10 at Hitchin Railway Station, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9UL to catch rail replacement bus at 09.20. Parking £3.30 or free parking 10mins' walk away at Queen Mother Theatre, Woodside, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, SG4 9SP.
Knebworth Station, Park Lane, Knebworth SG3 6AT. If driving, there is a small car park at the station (charge £3.10), or you can park considerately on nearby streets (check restrictions). However, as this is linear walk we recommend parking at Hitchin then walking back to your car.
