
What we’re about
HIKE - "To walk a long way usually for pleasure, especially in the country"
Our hikes are typically 8 - 10 miles (12.8 - 16 km), sometimes shorter or longer.
- Local hikes in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas
- Day hikes elsewhere in South-East England
- Hiking weekends away in England and Wales
WELCOME!
If you would like to explore the countryside of England and Wales on foot, you are welcome to join us.
Bienvenue
Willkommen
Benvenuti/Benvenute
Bienvenido
Witamy
Dobrodošli
Καλώς Όρισες
ยินดีต้อนรับ
歡迎光臨
Plus many other languages, too numerous to list.
MEMBERSHIP
To join one of our events:
- Log in to Meetup if you already have a Meetup login. If not, please see below.
- Join the South Herts Hikers Meetup Group by clicking the 'Join Us' button above. This gives you immediate free trial membership of our group and you can attend our events.
- Select an event and click 'Attend'. You should receive an email confirming your place. If the event is already full you will be put onto a waiting list.
If you don't have a Meetup login yet, you can create one easily using the login details of an existing Facebook or Google login or you can create a separate Meetup login.
To cover the costs of running this Meetup Group and other associated costs, from 1st Jan 2025, this group has introduced a monthly membership subscription of £4 per month. You only pay for months when you actually attend an event. Anyone who attends an event needs to be a member of South Herts Hikers, including guests and your membership subscription lasts for one calendar month from the date when you pay. We typically organise at least one event per month, sometimes two or three and during the month while your membership subscription is valid, you can attend other Group events (if any) with no extra charge. You can pay using cash (preferred) or Paypal (details on Meetup events)
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
Membership is open to anyone aged 18 or more who has an interest in hiking, regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs, provided they fulfil the following criteria:
- Being friendly towards all other Group members, treating other members with respect and as equals.
- Avoiding any conduct likely to discourage any other member from participating in future Group events or from organising future group events. In particular, this group is a “Grump Free Zone” especially on Group weekends away!
ETIQUETTE
These aren't rules but advice for a friendly group
- The walk leader sets the pace suitable for the slowest member, as long as we can complete the walk in a reasonable time. It is not a race to finish first nor a training event nor a non-stop work-out. We stop from time to time to regroup (for example after going through a gate), to have a rest, a drink or a snack, admire the view or take photos, etc. You may need extra clothing to put on for stops in colder weather.
- We have members of different ages and genders and we like everyone to relate to each other on an equal basis.
- We have members from different nationalities and cultures. We like to make everyone welcome and we don't quiz anyone about their background or country of origin, they can tell us if they like but this is optional.
- Conversations on a group walk or other event can often be overheard by others so we avoid discussing anything that is out of place in a friendly social group. This would include avoiding heated debates or any discussions about controversial or unpleasant subjects that others may not wish to hear about, including religion, UK politics or politics of any other country.
WHAT TO TAKE
Most of our routes are on public footpaths in the countryside. Some of these may be slippery, muddy or stony in places. You need adequate footwear, preferably hiking boots, with thick soles and good grip. You need a waterproof jacket in case it rains and in cold weather, you also need a warm outdoor jacket and an extra layer to put on for outdoor stops.
We have some info pages on what to take for day hikes and weekends away. Please see the Hiking Info http://southhertshikers.uk/info/ page on our web site for further details.
PAST EVENTS
You can find a photo album for each past event on this Meetup Group.
AFFILIATION
We are affiliated to The Ramblers https://www.ramblers.org.uk/
Hertfordshire & North Middlesex Area https://www.hnmramblers.org.uk/
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
Please see the FAQ page http://southhertshikers.uk/faq/ on our web site or click the Organizers https://www.meetup.com/SouthHertsHikers/members/?op=leaders link on Meetup to contact the organizers via Meetup messaging.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Sunday Hike, Radlett - Aldenham - Ver-Colne Valley Walk circular 8.6 mlsRadlett station, Radlett
To see who else has signed up please see the comment below
Join like-minded outdoor enthusiasts and hikers to discover scenic trails, woodland and open countryside in a largely undeveloped area of Hertfordshire Green Belt countryside around Aldenham, between Watford and Radlett, including part of the Ver-Colne Valley Walk and the Abbott Trail.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, this 8.6 mile (13.8 km) hike is perfect for exploring historic trails. It starts and ends at Radlett Station, accessible by train from Luton, St Albans, Elstree or London St Pancras or by bus from Hatfield, St Albans or Watford.
Meet 10:30 for 10:45 start by the ticket machines outside Radlett Train Station, Station Approach, Watling Street, Radlett, Herts WD7 7AJ.
Nearest post code WD7 7AJ
Lat/Long (WGS84): 51.68519,-0.31724
OSGB Grid Reference: TQ164998
What3Words https://w3w.co/prefer.fired.proper
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
From Radlett along part of the Ver-Colne Valley walk and the Abbott Trail to Aldenham with a lunch stop at the Roundbush pub. Continue via Letchmore Heath back to Radlett. Total distance is 8.6 miles (13.8 km) with slight hills, total 58 metres (190 ft) ascent and descent. About 80% of the route is on public bridleways, restricted byways and public footpaths in the countryside with about 20% in a built-up area in Radlett. The public rights of way in this area have been much improved in recent years and they are generally well maintained. We plan to finish the hike by 16:45 or earlier.
HIKING MAP:
O.S. 'Explorer' 1:25,000 scale, Sheets 173 London North and 182 St Albans & Hatfield.
ONLINE MAP:
There is a map of the route in the photo album for this event. This is a well tried and tested route that was devised by South Herts Hikers and we have also uploaded it to Wikiloc with 27 photos. See:
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/radlett-aldenham-ver-colne-valley-walk-v3-119655761
You can select map or aerial view (OpenStreetmap recommended) and you can zoom in. Navigating the trail outdoors using the Wikiloc app needs the premium version but you can also set up a free Wikiloc login then download a .GPX or .kml file to a mobile device to use with a GPS app such as OSMand, Komoot, All Trails, Outdoor Active, Organic Maps or Google Maps.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Wall Hall Estate footpath map http://www.pgbt.org.uk/promotion/aldenham-2013-hcc-wall-hall-estate-leaflet.pdf
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO MEETING LOCATION:
Train from London St Pancras International (STP) 09:35 or 10:08, calls at Kentish Town, West Hampstead Thameslink, Cricklewood, Brent Cross West, Hendon, Mill Hill Broadway, Elstree & Borehamwood to Radlett (RDT) at 10:05 or 10:35. We will wait for the 10:35 train.
Train from Luton (LUT) 09:45 or 10:06, calls at Luton Airport Parkway, Harpenden, St Albans City, to Radlett (RDT) at 10:08 or 10:35. We will wait for the 10:35 train.
Bus 602 to Radlett from Hatfield, St Albans, London Colney, Bushey, Watford. Hike starts and finishes at Radlett Station.
By bus - for Hertfordshire bus services see Intalink https://www.intalink.org.uk/Bus 602 from Hatfield Railway Station Stop 2, 08:39 via St Albans, London Colney, Shenley to Radlett Watling Street Rec. Ground 09:59.
Bus 602 from Watford High Street, Stop F, 09:47 to Radlett Watling Street Rec. Ground 10:14.
CAR PARKING NEAR MEETING LOCATION:
Hertsmere Borough Council public car park, Newberries, 367 Watling Street, Radlett, WD7 7JH is very near the station and free on Sundays. The station car park is not recommended as it is for rail passengers only and it is not free on Sundays.
WHAT TO BRING
Much of the route is on public bridleways and footpaths in the countryside. Most have a hard stony surface but some muddy patches are possible after wet weather. We recommend:- adequate footwear, preferably hiking boots, with thick soles and good grip
- waterproof jacket or umbrella for rain
- sun hat if sunny
- drink essential (1 - 2 litres)
- packed lunch recommended.
• Important to know
There will be a 10 minute mid-morning stop in woodland 4.5 km from the start. Lunch stop is at The Roundbush pub, 8.9 km from the start https://www.theroundbush.co.uk/ We recommend you to bring a packed lunch to eat outdoors (not in the pub garden) as there may not be time to order food at the pub.
Although this event is shown on Meetup as free, from 1st Jan 2025, this group has introduced a monthly membership subscription of £4 per month. You only pay for months when you actually attend an event. Anyone who attends an event needs to be a member of South Herts Hikers, including guests and your membership subscription lasts for one month from the date when you pay. During that time you can attend any other Group events with no extra charge. There will normally be at least one more event in the 31 days after you join, possibly more. This subscription contributes towards the costs of running this Meetup Group including the fees that organisers need to pay Meetup which increased by 80% from July 2024. You can use cash or Paypal https://paypal.me/SouthHertsHikers
Please note our membership criteria and guidelines for etiquette. From this Meetup Group's home page https://www.meetup.com/southhertshikers/ see What we're about > Read More
For our policy on dogs on our hikes, please see our FAQ page, http://southhertshikers.uk/faq/