Autumn Hike - Hatfield Forest & River Stort - Hertfordshire / Essex - 19km

Join us for a beautiful 18.6 km circular hike from the historic market town of Bishop’s Stortford into the surrounding Hertfordshire and Essex countryside. This varied route combines riverside trails, open farmland, and the highlight of the day – the ancient Hatfield Forest, a medieval hunting forest now cared for by the National Trust.

With tranquil waterside stretches, atmospheric woodland, and wide countryside views, this walk offers a perfect autumn escape. Expect plenty of seasonal colour as the trees turn golden in Hatfield Forest, making November an ideal time to explore this landscape.

• Start/Finish: Bishop’s Stortford
• Distance: 18.6 km
• Duration: 6 hours including breaks
• Elevation Gain: 109 m Adventure Women
• Grade: 2.5 / Moderate–Challenging
• Start Time: 9:00 am
• Finish Time: Approx. 3:00 pm
• Price: £12.50 (Plus Meetup booking fee) Or pay by CARD

The Hike:
Our circular route begins in Bishop’s Stortford, heading out of town before crossing open farmland and quiet countryside paths. From here, we make our way into Hatfield Forest, one of the last surviving medieval royal hunting forests in England.

The forest is a rich and historic landscape of ancient pollarded oaks, hornbeam, wide glades, and lakes – all particularly striking in autumn. After time exploring the forest trails, we’ll loop back via a mix of riverside and countryside paths, follwing the river Stort before returning to Bishop’s Stortford.

Paths are a mix of riverside trails, woodland tracks, and farmland paths. Sturdy footwear is required, as sections may be muddy in wetter months.

Highlights:

• Hatfield Forest (National Trust): One of the best-preserved medieval hunting forests in England, with ancient trees and autumn colour.
• River Stort: Peaceful riverside paths leading us out of Bishop’s Stortford and back again.
• Countryside Views: Rolling farmland and open skies along the Hertfordshire–Essex border.
• Bishop’s Stortford: A historic market town with links to the Norman and medieval periods.

Please note: As we are close to Stansted Airport, there may be some air traffic overhead during parts of the walk.

What to Wear and Bring:
- Our walks go ahead in all weather, so dress appropriately. Always carry a waterproof jacket.
- Check the forecast and bring sun cream, a hat, or sunglasses for warm days, and waterproofs, a warm hat, and gloves for cold or wet days.
- Wear trousers or leggings to reduce the risk of tick bites and nettle stings. Avoid denim or cotton.
- Sturdy walking shoes or boots are essential. Open-toe shoes are unsuitable.
- Bring at least 1.5 litres of water, lunch, and snacks, as there may be no opportunities to buy food or drinks along the route.
- Public toilets may not be available on the route.

Sign-Up Form:
If you haven’t completed a form this year or your circumstances have changed, please fill out the sign up form before attending. Participation s not allowed without a completed form, as this ensures we understand your needs and can maintain group safety. (link can be found in Ts&Cs section of the website - or cut and paste below into your browser) Form link: [https://form.jotform.com/201554976381058 ](https://form.jotform.com/201554976381058)

Preparation and Fitness:
You are responsible for your own health and safety. Ensure you can hike continuously for the duration specified. Dress appropriately, please bring the required gear and carry any personal medications. Participants without proper equipment may be unable to join the walk.

Our Guides:
Our experienced, qualified leaders are skilled in navigation, first aid, and outdoor leadership. Each route is carefully planned to match the advertised grade, ensuring a safe, supportive, and enjoyable experience.

Additional Information: Dogs are not permitted on our walks. Adventure Women UK is an all-female activity group, and participants must be over 18.
Our events are advertised on other platforms, the number of "guest" booked on include attendees from other platforms. If the walk is full, you can join the website waiting list here

Walk Grades: For details on walk difficulty levels, visit the Walk Grades Section at[ https://adventurewomen.co.uk/walk-grades-1](https://adventurewomen.co.uk/walk-grades-1)

Important Note: By RSVPing “Yes” to any event, you agree to the group’s terms and conditions. For more details, visit: https://adventurewomen.co.uk/ts%26cs

Outdoor activities involve inherent risks, including slips, trips, falls, drowning, exposure to extreme weather, equipment failure, and medical emergencies, which can result in serious injury or death. By participating, you voluntarily assume all such risks. For more details, visit: https://adventurewomen.co.uk/ts%26cs.