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
2
Sunday Hike, Welwyn Garden City - Ayot Greenway - Brocket Park circular 7.3 mls
Outside The Howard Centre, Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City, GBJoin like-minded outdoor enthusiasts for a Sunday hike to explore new trails in the Hertfordshire countryside. This 7.3 mile (11.8 km) hike is an ideal length for a short winter day with a pub stop at lunch time and optional tea and cakes in Welwyn Garden City at the end.
Meet 10:30 for 10:45 start on the steps outside the Howard Centre shopping mall, Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City (see photo in photo album for this event).
Nearest post code AL8 6HA
Lat/Long (WGS84): 51.80128 , -0.20493
OSGB Grid Reference: TL238129
What3 Words: https://w3w.co/slave.apple.tins
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
Start outside the Howard Centre shopping mall, Welwyn Garden City. Hike via Sherrardspark Wood, Ayot Greenway and Brocket Park to Cromer Hyde. Lunch stop at the Crooked Chimney Pub. After lunch return to Welwyn Garden City via Brocket Park, see event photo above (taken in summer).
Total distance is 7.3 miles (11.8 km) with some small hills, total 132 metres (433 ft) ascent and descent. We plan to finish the hike by 15:45 (sunset 15:50).
PLACES OF INTEREST:
Welwyn Garden City: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welwyn_Garden_City
The Crooked Chimney pub https://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/east/thecrookedchimneywelwyngarden#/
HIKING MAP:
O.S. 'Explorer' 1:25,000 scale, Sheet 182 St Albans & Hatfield.
ONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Footpath Society. There is a map of the route in the photo album for this event. You can find further route details with photos on Wikiloc. https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/welwyn-garden-city-ayot-greenway-brocket-park-loop-v1-242312070
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 use a web browser such as Chrome to download a .GPX or .kml file to a mobile device then use a mobile phone GPS app (OSMand, Komoot, All Trails, Outdoor Active, Organic Maps or Google Maps).
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO MEETING LOCATION (CHECK TIMES):
Great Northern trains to Welwyn Garden City Station from Stevenage, London Kings Cross, Finsbury Park and all stations to Welwyn Garden City. The railway station is inside the Howard Centre.
CAR PARKING NEAR MEETING LOCATION:
Howard Centre car park (Sundays £2.50 all day, cash or card payment) or nearby streets without waiting restrictions on Sundays (please park considerately).
• What to bring
Much of the route is on public footpaths in the countryside. Some of these may be stony and there could be some muddy patches after wet weather. You need:
- Adequate footwear, preferably hiking boots, with good grip
- Warm outdoor jacket for winter and a waterproof jacket in case it rains
- Drink
- Packed lunch recommended as you may not be able to order food at lunch time.
About 80% of the route is on public footpaths in the countryside and 20% is on pavements in built-up areas.
• Important to know
There will be a mid-morning stop on the Ayot Greenway 3.5 km from the start. There will be an outdoor lunch stop 8.4 km from the start where you can eat your own sandwiches near the The Crooked Chimney pub at Cromer Hyde. You can also go into the pub for a drink but there may not be time to order food. Optional afternoon tea and cakes at Simmons Bakers, 33 Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AP afterwards.
Although this event is shown on Meetup as free, so you don't need to pay when you sign up, Meetup group organisers have to pay a subscription to Meetup. This now costs us 429.58 US Dollars for 12 months. We suggest a voluntary donation of £3 for each hike for each participant including guests. This contributes towards the running costs of this Meetup Group. Cash is preferred or you can use 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/5 attendees
Sunday Hike, Woodside Park - Mill Hill circular 8.6 mls
Woodside Park Station, Woodside Park Road, London, GBExplore an area of open Green Belt countryside between Finchley Totteridge and Mill Hill. Did you know that there are nature reserves, green spaces, ponds, commons and open countryside in London N12, N20 and NW7? Please see map above. We avoid the grey bits as far as possible and take you to the green bits!
Meet 10:00 for 10:15 start outside the main entrance (car park side) of Woodside Park Station (London Underground Northern Line Zone 4), .Woodside Park Rd, London N12 8SE Please note earlier than usual meeting time due to sunset at 15:50.
Nearest post code: N12 8SE
Lat/Long (WGS84): 51.61806, -0.18556
O.S. National Grid Ref. TQ257925
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
From Woodside Park station to Woodridge Nature Reserve then stop at the cafe in the garden centre for morning coffee. Continue to Arrandene Open Space then stop for lunch at the Three Hammers pub. Return via Totteridge Common and Darlands Lake Nature Reserve to Woodside Park Station. We plan to finish the hike by 16:00 or earlier. Sunset is at 15:50 but the last 20 minutes walk are along roads with street lights. You can finish the walk at lunch time and take a bus if you like.
ONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Herts Footpath Society. There is a map in the event photo above. You can find further route details on Wikiloc. https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/woodside-park-station-tfl-northern-line-mill-hill-loop-v2-242346119
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 use a web browser such as Chrome to download a .GPX or .kml file to a mobile device then use a mobile phone GPS app (OSMand, Komoot, All Trails, Outdoor Active, Organic Maps or Google Maps).
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO MEETING LOCATION:
London Underground Northern Line to Woodside Park Station (Zone 4)
TfL bus 263, 326 to Sainsbury's North Finchley, 836, High Road, London N12 9RE and walk 600 metres (10 mins) along Woodside Park Road.
CAR PARKING NEAR MEETING LOCATION:
Parking in the station car park costs £6 on a Sunday but it is usually possible to find a space to park in nearby streets where parking restrictions do not apply on a Sunday (please park considerately).
What to bring
Much of the route is on public footpaths in the countryside and some of it is on pavements in built-up areas. Some country paths may be stony and there could be some muddy patches after wet weather. You need:
- Adequate footwear, preferably hiking boots, with good grip
- Warm outdoor jacket for winter and a waterproof jacket in case it rains
- Drink
- Packed lunch recommended as there may not be time to order food at lunch time.
Important to know
There will be a 30 minute morning coffee stop at a garden centre cafe 3.5 km from the start. Lunch stop is 7 km from the start at the Three Hammers pub, Hammers Lane, London NW7 4EA. A packed lunch is recommended as there may not be time to order food at the pub. There are seats outside on the green where you can eat packed lunch.
Although this event is shown on Meetup as free, so you don't need to pay when you sign up, Meetup group organisers have to pay a subscription to Meetup. This now costs us 429.58 US Dollars for 12 months. We suggest a voluntary donation of £3 for each hike for each participant including guests. This contributes towards the running costs of this Meetup Group. Cash is preferred or you can use 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/2 attendees
Past events
247
Group links
Organizers
Members
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