Sunday hike, Cockfosters - Trent Park - Fir and Pond Wood - circular 9.5 mls

Explore Green Belt countryside just outside London. Start from Cockfosters, go through Trent Park and to Fir and Pond Woods Nature Reserve near Potters Bar in Hertfordshire.
To find out more see who has signed up so far, please see comment below. This is a joint event between South Herts Hikers and South Herts Footpath Society.
Meet at 10:30 a.m. for 10:45 start outside Cockfosters Station (Piccadilly Line), Cockfosters Road, Barnet, Herts EN4 0DZ
Nearest post code EN4 0DZ
Lat/Long (WGS84): 51.651544,-0.149691
OSGB National Grid Ref. TQ281963
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
From Cockfosters through Trent Park then on footpaths to Fir and Pond Wood Nature Reserve near Potters Bar (lunch stop in woods). Fir and Pond Woods are widely thought to be the best remaining portions of Enfield Chase, an ancient royal hunting ground. After lunch, via footpath by Coopers Lane Rd then via Trent Park back to Cockfosters.
Total distance 9.5 miles (15.3 km) with some hills, 197 m (646 ft) of ascent and descent. The route is all on footpaths and some may be muddy in places. Total distance 9.5 miles (15.3 km) with some hills, 197 m (646 ft) of ascent and descent. The route is all on footpaths and some may be muddy in places. It is possible to finish after 6.5 miles and catch TFL bus 313 and 307 back to near the start.
We expect to finish the hike by 4:45 p.m.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
Friends of Trent Country Park
https://friendsoftrentcountrypark.org.uk/walk-the-trails-and-explore/
Map: https://friendsoftrentcountrypark.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/TRENT-COUNTRY-PARK-MAP-BROCHURE-EDITV2.pdf
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Fir and Pond Woods https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/firandpondwoods
YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENImiOyjkC4
HIKING MAP:
Ordnance Survey 'Explorer' 1:25,000 Sheet 173 London North.
ONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Herts Footpath Society and you can find full details on Wikiloc: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/cockfosters-trent-park-fir-wood-loop-v1-75819251 although we are taking a slightly different route.
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).
HOW TO GET TO THE MEETING LOCATION:
Cockfosters is on the London Underground Piccadilly Line and TfL bus routes 298, 299, 384.
CAR PARKING NEAR MEETING LOCATION:
Parking in Cockfosters Station car park now costs £9.00 on Sundays so it is not recommended! There are nearby streets such as Mount Pleasant EN4 9LS without parking restrictions on a Sunday where you can park for free (please park considerately).
• What to bring
Much of this walk is away from roads on quiet countryside public footpaths but most of these do not have a tarmac surface so some paths may be slippery, muddy or stony in places. You need:

• 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 (essential).

Important to know
We pass toilet facilities in Trent Park, half a mile after the start of the walk but there are none at lunch time. There is no pub at lunch time and nowhere to buy food so please bring a packed lunch.
Although our events are shown on Meetup as free, so you don't need to pay when you sign up, we have a small annual membership subscription and we also invite a donation for each event. This helps 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/