
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)
See all- Sunday Hike, High Barnet - Hadley Wood - Trent Park circular, 9.1 milesHadley Green Road, Greater London
Join like-minded outdoor enthusiasts and hikers to discover scenic trails, woodland and open countryside on a Sunday hike in the Green Belt just outside London. Start Hadley Green near Barnet, walk to Trent Park and back via Hadley Woods.
Meet at 10:30 a.m. for a 10:45 a.m. start at the junction of Hadley Green Road and Hadley Green opposite CYMA Classic Car wash, 242 High St, Barnet EN5 5TD. Please see the Google Map on Meetup. Look for our Meetup sign.
Nearest post code: EN5 5TD
Lat/Long (WGS84): 51.658465,-0.200431
O.S. Grid Ref: TQ245970
What3Words https://w3w.co/expect.labels.fieldHIKE DESCRIPTION:
Hadley Green - Hadley Wood - Trent Park - Jack's Lake - Monken Hadley Common - Hadley Green.Total distance is 9.1 mls (14.6 km) with some hills, 577 ft (176 m) of ascent and descent. It is mostly on public footpaths or public bridleways and some residential roads with pavement. We plan to finish the hike by about 16:30 or earlier. Alternatively, you could finish about half way at Cockfosters.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
Monken Hadley Common Trust https://www.mhctrust.org.uk/about-the-common
Trent Country Park http://trentcountrypark.comHIKING MAP:
Ordnance Survey 'Explorer' 1:25,000 scale, Sheet 173 London NorthONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Herts Hikers. There is a static map in the event photo album on Meetup. We have also uploaded a similar route to Wikiloc. See: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/hadley-green-hadley-wood-trent-park-cockfosters-hadley-green-loop-v3-69828217 but we are doing the route in reverse with a variation in Trent Park to visit the café.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.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO MEETING LOCATION:
By tube: Hadley Green is at the Northern end of Barnet High Street, about 15 mins walk from High Barnet Station (Northern Line)
By bus: TfL buses 34, 107, 184, 234, 263, 307, 326. The 84B bus service between Potters Bar and Barnet does not operate on Sundays.
By train: Great Northern trains from London King's Cross, Finsbury Park, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City etc. to Hadley Wood Station (HDW) then 2 km walk (30 mins) to Hadley Green.CAR PARKING NEAR MEETING LOCATION:
On-street parking by Hadley Green near the meeting place, free on Sundays but check.• 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 mid morning stop 3.5 km from the start and a lunch stop 8 km from the start at the Trent Park Café. You can also eat you own packed lunch outdoors nearby but please do not consume your own food or drink on the café premises. We can spend up to 60 minutes at the café and this should allow time to order food but we can leave earlier if everyone is ready. The lunch stop is not far from Cockfosters tube station (Piccadilly Line) and bus routes so it would be possible to shorten the walk if you wish.Although this event is shown on Meetup as free, so you don't need to pay when you sign up, group organisers have to pay a subscription to Meetup. This cost increased by 80% in July 2024 and we now pay 429.58 US Dollars for 12 months.
We have an annual membership fee of £2 (£1 from July onwards) at your first event of the year and you need to be a member to participate in our events. We also suggest a voluntary donation of £3 for each hike for every participant. That's £4.00 for your first hike after July 2025 or £3.00 per event after that. This contributes towards the running costs of this Meetup Group. Cash is preferred or you can use Paypal https://paypal.me/SouthHertsHikers
For our policy on dogs on our hikes, please see our FAQ page, http://southhertshikers.uk/faq/
- Sunday Hike Hatfield - West End - Bell Bar - Welham Green circular 11.1 mlsHatfield Train Station, Hatfield
Join us for a "Tour d'Hatfield Park' hike all the way round the outside of Hatfield Park in Hertfordshire on public rights of way. Explore the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside on our 11.1 mile circular route that includes some little-known public rights of way between Hatfield Park and Essendon. You can shorten it to 8.3 mls if you like.
Meet 10:30 for a 10:45 start outside Hatfield Railway Station by the red pillar box and the BT phone boxes.
Nearest post code: AL9 5AB
Lat/Long (WGS84): 51.764015 , -0.215244
O.S. Grid Ref: TL232087
What3Words https://w3w.co/update.enter.sportsHIKE DESCRIPTION:
From Hatfield Station to Mill Green, West End, Bell Bar, Welham Green, Howe Dell and back to Hatfield Station. The route goes around the outside of Hatfield Park on public footpaths and public bridleways but it doesn't actually go into Hatfield Park, so there is no admission charge to pay.
Most of the route is on public footpaths and public bridleways in the countryside plus some roads in built-up areas. Take care on a 300 metre section of Grubbs Lane with no footway and also when crossing the A414.
Total distance is 11.1 miles (17.8 km) with some hills, 123 metres (403 ft) of ascent and descent. This is a bit longer than our usual 8 - 10 mile hikes, as there are no public rights of way across Hatfield Park. You can shorten the route to 8.3 mls (13.4 km) if you finish at Welham Green station and take a train from there.
We plan to finish the hike by 17:30 or earlier.PLACES OF INTEREST:
Café at Dutch garden centre, Bell Bar https://dutchmarketplace.co.uk/dutch-cafe/
Cock O' the North pub, Bell Bar https://www.mcmullens.co.uk/cockothenorthONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Herts Hikers. There is a static map in the event photo above and we have also uploaded it to Wikiloc. See: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/hatfield-station-west-end-welham-green-loop-v2-167784357
You can select map or aerial view (OpenStreetmap recommended) and you can zoom in and look at photos. If you set up a free Wikiloc login, you can download a .GPX file to use with any GPS app such as OSMand, Komoot, All Trails or Outdoor Active or a .KML file to use with Google Maps.PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO MEETING LOCATION (SUMMARY):
You can get to the the meeting location by train or by bus in under 60 minutes journey time as follows:
Fast train from London Kings Cross, Finsbury Park or Potters Bar (25 mins or less)
Local train from Moorgate, Finsbury Park and all local stations to Hatfield
Fast train from Cambridge, Royston, Baldock, Hitchin, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City to Hatfield
Bus 301 from St Albans to Hatfield
For further details of bus and train times, please see belowCAR SHARING FROM BARNET:
We may be able to offer car sharing from High Barnet Station (Northern Line). You can request this when you RSVP.CAR PARKING NEAR MEETING LOCATION:
Hatfield Station multi-storey car park, 79, Great North Road AL9 5AB £3.40 on Sundays. APCOA Parking, location code 3016. Pay by APCOA Connect App or buy on-line before you leave home https://www.apcoaconnect.com/locationDetail/?id=2441
Alternatively, it may be possible to park in nearby streets (please park considerately).WHAT TO TAKE
Much of the route is on public footpaths in the countryside. Some of these may be slippery, muddy or stony in places. 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 (optional).
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Mid morning stop 4.4 km from the start. Lunch stop at Bell Bar 10.5 km from start, you can can go to Café at Dutch garden centre or visit the Cock O' the North pub.
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 cost increased by 80% in July 2024 to 429.58 US Dollars for 12 months.
We have an annual membership fee of £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 participate in our events. Annual members can also join our group email list. We also suggest an additional voluntary donation of £3 for each hike for each participant including guests. That's £4.00 for your first hike after July 2025 or £3.00 per event after that. 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. 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/BUS AND TRAIN TIMES (please check before travel)
Train 25 mins from London Kings Cross [KGX] 10:02, Finsbury Park [FPK] 10:08, Alexandra Palace [AAP] 10:13, Potters Bar [PBR] 10:21 to Hatfield [HAT] 10:27.Train 45 mins from London Moorgate [MOG] 09:27 calling at Old Street, Essex Road, Highbury & Islington, Drayton Park, Finsbury Park [FPK] 09:42, Harringay, Hornsey, Alexandra Palace, New Southgate, Oakleigh Park, New Barnet, Hadley Wood, Potters Bar, Brookmans Park, Welham Green to Hatfield [HAT] 10:12
Train 45 mins from London Moorgate [MOG] 09:42 as above to Finsbury Park [FPK] arr. 09:55, change, dep. 10:08 then fast train to Hatfield [HAT] 10:27.
Train 56 mins from Cambridge [CBG] 09:28, Royston [RYS] 09:43, Ashwell & Morden [AWM] 09:47, Baldock [BDK] 09:52, Letchworth Garden City arr. 09:55, change, see below
Train 26 mins from Letchworth Garden City [LET] 10:00, Hitchin [HIT] 10:04, Stevenage [SVG] 10:10, Knebworth [KBW] 10:14, Welwyn North [WLW] 10:17, Welwyn Garden City [WGC] 10:22 to Hatfield [HAT] at 10:26
Bus 301 28 mins from St Albans City Railway Station Stop "A" at 09:40 to Hatfield Railway Station Stop 5 10:08.
Intalink bus travel in Hertfordshire https://www.intalink.org.uk/