About us
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.
Although our events are shown on Meetup as free, so you don't need to pay when you sign up, we have annual and weekly subscriptions to cover the running costs of this Meetup Group including Meetup Organisers’ subscription, affiliations and other costs. These subscriptions apply to everyone including guests but they only apply if you actually attend an event and you can pay at the start of the event.
Annual membership subscription
This is £2 if you join in Jan, Feb or Mar. After that it’s £1.50 from April onwards, £1.00 July onwards, or 50p October onwards. You need to be an annual member to attend our events. Annual members can also join our group email list and annual membership is valid for both sections of our group, South Herts Hikers and South Herts Footpath Society.
Weekly subscription
We also have a weekly membership subscription of £3 but you only pay for a week when you attend an event. If you pay 10 weekly subscriptions in any calendar year then you don’t need to pay any more in the current calendar year. That's £5.00 for your first hike after 1st Jan 2026 or £3.00 per event after that. Cash is preferred or you can use Paypal https://paypal.me/SouthHertsHikers
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 welcome members from different nationalities and cultures 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/
South Herts Hikers also known as South Herts Footpath Society is also a member of The Open Spaces Society https://www.oss.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

Sunday Hike, Radlett - Aldenham - Ver-Colne Valley Walk circular 8.6 mls
Radlett station, Station approach WD7 7AP, Radlett, GBA Sunday hike in shady woodland and open countryside in a largely undeveloped area of Hertfordshire Green Belt countryside around Aldenham, between Watford and Radlett with a pub stop at lunch time. This is a joint event between South Herts Hikers and South Herts Footpath Society.
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.
HOW TO SIGN UP
We limit numbers on our walks and they are sometimes fully booked so to be sure of a place, it is advisable to sign up, either on Meetup or you can get a ticket on Eventbrite. Although it is free to sign up on Meetup or Eventbrite, we do invite a donation to cover Group running costs, see below.
WHERE TO MEET
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 if we have any 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
Although you don't need to pay when you sign up for this event on Meetup or Eventbrite, we have a small annual membership subscription and we also invite a donation for each event. This is to cover the running costs of this Meetup Group including Meetup Organisers’ subscription, affiliations and other costs. This applies to everyone including guests who attends an event but you can pay at your first event.
Annual membership subscription
We have an nominal annual membership subscription of £1 if you join from 1st Jan - 30th June, 50p if you join from 1st July - 30th November and free if you join in December. You need to be an annual member to attend our events but you can join at the start of your first event. Annual members can also join our group email list and receive details of our walks programme. Annual membership is valid for both sections of our group, South Herts Hikers and South Herts Footpath Society.
Event donation
We also invite a donation of £3 per event so that would be £4.00 for your first hike after 1st Jan 2026 or £3.00 per event after that. Cash is preferred or you can use Paypal https://paypal.me/SouthHertsHikers
Please note our conventions and guidelines . From this Meetup Group's home page https://www.meetup.com/southhertshikers/ see What we're about > Read More
To summarise:- The walk leader sets the pace suitable for the slowest member. We stop from time to time to regroup. 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 welcome members from different nationalities and cultures and we don't quiz anyone about their background or country of origin, they can tell us if they like but this is optional.
- We avoid heated debates or any discussions about controversial or unpleasant subjects.
For our policy on dogs on our hikes, please see our FAQ page, http://southhertshikers.uk/faq/
5 attendees
Past events
259


