SOUTH EAST
02 Tring, Hertfordshire
Distance: 7.6 miles/12.2km | Time: 4.5 hours | Grade: Moderate | Total ascent: 117m
This walk follows the Grand Union Canal from Tring to Berkhamsted, and then returns through the hills and woodland of Northchurch Common and the edges of the Ashridge Estate. Look out for kingfishers dashing along the canal, singing skylarks and deer while walking in the ancient oak woodlands.
1. START
Exit Tring Station car park and turn left down the main street, crossing over the railway. Immediately before the next bridge, turn right down some steps to reach the Grand Union Canal. Turn left along the canal path with the water on your right. Continue ahead, under the bridge at Cow Roast, and pass Dudswell Top Lock. At Dudswell Bottom, cross the bridge here and rejoin the canal to walk along the opposite side. Pass under the bridge at Northchurch Lock and continue to the next bridge.
2. 3.5 MILES
Here pass under the bridge and pipeline and turn immediately right to reach the road. Turn right to go over the canal and continue along the road over the railway bridge. Keep ahead to cross a pedestrian crossing to the right of a roundabout, then slant left up Bridle Way.
2. 3.5 MILES
Continue uphill to a road junction, keep ahead on the bridleway into woodland. Follow the path ahead that eventually bends round to the right to meet a metalled lane. Keep ahead on the lane, passing drives on the right, then bend to the left. Continue on this to soon cross over a lane into oak woodland. This path brings you out on a road adjacent to Hill Farm Café and Garden.
3. 4.8 MILES
Cross the road into the car park opposite. Fork right through the car park on a track that soon runs alongside Northchurch Common on your right. At the top left corner of the common, head left into the woodland and immediately right on a waymarked footpath that soon runs along the common again. The path heads left into the trees to meet a good bridleway. Bear right on it.
4. 6 MILES
At the end of the enclosed field on the left, take the next signposted path to the left through the woodland. At a large kissing gate on the left, don’t go through but turn right on a path and shortly fork left. At a lane turn right then left on a bridleway just before the lane meets a road.
5. 6.4 MILES
Head downhill to continue on this main path, ignoring a cross path. You soon join a drive. Continue ahead to a lane, cross over on a bridleway that continues on over a gallop. Over to the right, you will glimpse the top of the Bridgewater monument. Follow this route as it runs alongside a road curving to the left. Eventually you will exit through a kissing gate to reach Tring station. CF
USEFUL INFO
Starting point
Ticketed parking at Tring train station, HP23 5QR. Trains arrive from London and Milton Keynes.
Terrain
Paths may be muddy after rain. There are no stiles, one steep descent.
Map
OS Explorer 181
Eat/drink
Hill Farm Barn Café on the way has cakes and bakes. thehillfarmbarncafe.com
Stay
Pitch up at Town Farm Camping near Ivinghoe. townfarmcamping.co.uk
