7.2 miles (11.6 km)
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| Walk 9: Lea Valley 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: From The Woodman head W for 120m to the junction with West End Lane. Turn right and head N to The Candlestick. (1.8km)
2: Take the lane on the left just past The Candlestick and walk to the top to a footpath on your right after the last cottage. (380m)
3: Turn right and head NW downhill until you reach a private lane and a group of cottages. (1.1km)
4: Continue until you come to a sharp left-hand bend. (940m)
5: Take the bridleway on your right and head W with the River Lea on your left. Continue for 840m to a bridleway on the right. (870m)
6: Turn right and head S uphill for 640m until you reach a footpath on the left. (640m)
7: Take this path and head SE across a field, past woodland on your left, across another field, to West End Lane. (730m)
8: Turn left and head E to Essendon village looking out for a footpath on the right. (660m)
9: Take that footpath and head S past the church and cricket club on the left, eventually reaching a footpath through the woodland. (380m)
10: Turn right and head SW through the woodland, down the hill, across a footbridge, and uphill before reaching a byway. (660m)
11: Turn left and head S for 500m until you reach a footpath on the left. (530m)
12: Follow the path for 740m downhill, across a footbridge, along a tree-lined path with Essendon Brook on your left until you reach a path on your right. (740m)
13: Take this path uphill, through woodland, eventually emerging on the B158. Cross the road and continue heading SE along Hornbeam Lane for 170m until you reach a footpath on your right. (820m)
14: Take this path as it heads SW, skirting the field and crossing a footbridge before emerging on a private road where you turn right and head NW until you reach the B158 at the junction with Wildhill Road. (430m)
15: Turn left and walk SW down the E side of the B158 for 300m, looking out for a footpath on your right. (330m)
16: Take this footpath and head NW across a field, alongside woodland on your right, then through a gate, across another field, through another gate, and down to The Woodman car park. (610m)