6.3 miles (10.2 km)
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| Walk 8: Essendon Loop Map created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker Elements © Thunderforest and © OpenStreetMap contributors There is an interactive map at the foot of this page |
Directions
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1: Take the footpath south of the beer garden on the east side of the car park. Walk uphill and diagonally SE across the field and go through a gate in the hedgerow. Head SSE until you reach another gate at the edge of woodland. With the woodland on your left, head SE until the path crosses a field and goes through a gap in the hedgerow to the B158. (540m)
2: Cross the road and turn left, walking NE along the east side of the B158 towards the right-hand bend in the road at the point where Wild Hill goes off to the left. (315m)
3: Turn right along a footpath which follows a private road heading SE. After 140m the footpath veers left to reach a wooden footbridge and a gate. Go through the gate and head NE with the woods on your right until you reach Hornbeam Lane. (415m)
4: Turn right on Hornbeam Lane and head SW, past stables on your left following the lane as it becomes a track. (1.3km)
5: When you reach Cucumber Lane, turn left and walk along the lane until Berkhamsted Lane joins from the right. (1.3km)
6: Turn right on Berkhamsted Lane and head ENE until you reach a bridleway on your left. (1.5km)
7: Take the bridleway and head NW down through the woods to the bottom of the hill. (990m)
8: Follow the way-marked signs pointing W across the golf course and past the club house where you turn right then left, continue across the course and emerge in Essendon. Walk left, along School Lane, and up to the B158. Turn left. (870m)
9: Take the footpath on the right which heads W along the southern edge of the cricket club. Follow this path as it drops down through woodland, crosses a wooden bridge, and continues uphill, with the field on your left and the hedgerow on your right, until you reach a byway open to all traffic (BOAT). (950m)
10: Turn left on the byway and follow this track, first S and later W, up and down hill as it twists and turns until it reaches West End Lane. (1.1km)
11: Turn left on West End Lane and follow it back to Wildhill where you turn left to reach The Woodman. (890m)