The Grand Union & Colne Loop to The Old Orchard | Free Hike 16km (10mi)

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾Level 2/5 - (Moderate)
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🧠 How it will feel
Regular hikers → Easy, not challenging
Casual walkers → Easy to Moderate
Newcomers → Moderately challenging
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This relaxed canalside walk offers a serene escape along the Grand Union Canal, where narrowboats drift past and towpath wildlife brings the route to life. A gentle climb leads to the beautifully positioned Old Orchard Pub, rewarding you with sweeping views and a well‑earned meal before you descend once more to the water for a calm, scenic return to Uxbridge. It’s a route that blends tranquillity, countryside charm, and a perfectly placed pub stop.

OVERVIEW
📏 Distance: 16 km (≈10 miles)
💪 Difficulty: Moderate
⛰️ Ascent / Descent: 100 m ↑ ↓
🚶 Average pace: 4.0 km/h - good steady walking pace
⏱️ Walking time: approx. 4 hours
🕒 Total time: approx. 6 hours including extended lunch stop
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MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS
📍 10:00 Meet at subway entrance to Uxbridge Station
▶️ 10:15 Hike starts at Uxbridge Station
🏁 17:00 Hike ends at Uxbridge Station
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🔴 PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME
🔴 WE WILL NOT WAIT FOR LATECOMERS
🔴 ONCE THE HIKE BEGINS, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO MESSAGES
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ABOUT
This walk offers the perfect escape from the rush of everyday life, following the Grand Union Canal as it winds through some of its most peaceful and picturesque stretches.

Along the way, you’ll wander beside calm waters where narrowboats drift quietly past, spot wildlife that thrives along the towpath, and settle into the soothing rhythm of the canal.

From Harefield, the route rises gradually toward the beautifully situated Old Orchard Pub, a highlight in its own right where we'll spend two hours for you to have lunch and wander the area.

After your stop, the path gently leads you back toward the water, where the canal’s calm presence guides you along a relaxed return route to Uxbridge Station. The final stretch offers more time to unwind, chat, and take in the scenery as the day draws to a satisfying close.
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HIGHLIGHTS

• Relaxed canalside walking along the Grand Union Canal, with slow‑moving narrowboats and peaceful waterway scenery.
• Wildlife rich towpaths, offering glimpses of birds, reeds, and the gentle rhythms of canal life.
• Steady rise toward Harefield, giving the walk a satisfying sense of progression without feeling strenuous.
• Scenic approach to The Old Orchard Pub (2 hour stop), beautifully perched above the Colne Valley with sweeping views.
• Perfect midwalk pause for food, drinks, and panoramic vistas across lakes and countryside.
• Easy descent back to the canal, returning to calm waters and a relaxed pace.
• Straightforward finish at Uxbridge Station, rounding off a route that blends nature, tranquillity, and a touch of pub‑side comfort.

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BY TRAIN
London Underground via the Metropolitan Line or Piccadilly Line - TFL contactless valid
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LUNCH AND FACILITIES
🍔 There is a extended (1 to 2 hr) pub stop for food and drink
🚻 Toilets at the pub stop only
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING
Snacks and sufficient water.
Proper hiking boots with grips. No trainers
Weather-appropriate layers and proper waterproofs
Fully charged phone
Personal medication and basic first aid
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📅 RSVP & ATTENDANCE
RSVP only if you plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join. A no-show means you RSVPed but did not attend or did not cancel before the start time, or you cancelled just before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal. Reliable regulars who end up on a waitlist may message the host for priority consideration.
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
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👣 STAYING TOGETHER
Participants must choose events that match their fitness and keep up with the group lead, as the overall pace will not be adjusted for individuals. A dedicated back marker may not always be present, so stay within sight of others and keep an organiser in view where possible.
If someone ahead is significantly slowing the pace, please move past them to stay with the main group. Faster walkers should wait at junctions, and organisers may pause at key points to regroup.
While we try not to leave anyone behind, it is not safe or practical for a large group to repeatedly stop for individuals unable to maintain the stated pace. Participants who cannot keep up may be asked to navigate independently at their own pace. Anyone who continues independently without informing an organiser will be assumed to be managing their own route and safety.
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⬅️ EXIT POINTS
We are never far from main roads and civilisation, so if necessary you could arrange an Uber pickup.
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CONTACT
📞 For pre-event questions, please message the event host via Meetup. On the day of the walk, if required, you may contact Ashantel via WhatsApp 07960 222 420.
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER
By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety. Neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.