Scenic Walks in the Chilterns

This is a glorious 4 mile walk from the picture postcard village of Aldbury, through the stunning Aldbury valley which will be spectacular at this time of year and day. There's also long distance views across the plains from the lush grass ridge of Pitstone Hill. These views reach across to Tring Park, and also look down on Pitstone Windmill. Walking time about 2 hours.

The price for the walk is £2 to cover costs.

After the walk there's the option of staying for a chat, drink and/or food at the Greyhound Inn.

Free Parking
There's plenty of parking in the village, but do arrive five minutes early to find a spot.

Travelling from London / by Train
There is now a new, on-demand bus service called HertsLynx which runs from all three nearby train stations; Berkhamsted, Tring and Hemel Hempstead. Depending on availability, you can book in advance to get from these stations to many of the walk start points for £3 each way.

The HertsLynx app is free and the service stops right outside the Greyhound Inn / opposite the pond. Nearest train station is Tring.

This is two walks in one: You can choose to do either the first three miles or all six miles. Both distance walks end at the start point, The Grand Junction Arms, Bulbourne, next to the canal. The first half of the walk is to and round College Lake Nature Reserve (pictured). It is relatively flat by design; ideal for walkers building up their strength. The second half takes us along the Grand Union Canal, past The Toll House at Bulbourne Junction and on to the hamlet of Little Tring. Walking time approx 1 hr 15 mins or 2.5 hours. Please note: The nature reserve does not allow dogs.

The price for the walk is £2 to cover costs.

I've devised this walk to cater for requests for shorter walks of around 2 to 3 miles, without interrupting the regular walking group who typically walk around 6 miles. And we will go at normal walking speed.

Please specify in the comments below if you are doing the three mile version. I'll assume everyone else is doing the full six miles.

After the walk you can stay for refreshments at The Grand Junction Arms pub on the canal.

College Lake is a 65 hectare nature reserve in a former chalk quarry. It is one of the flagship reserves of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, and it has an information centre, education facilities, a café, toilets and a shop. We won't be stopping at the information centre during the walk, but you can come back to the information centre after the walk, or after the three mile option, as it's just a couple of hundred yards up the road from the Grand Junction Arms pub, our meeting point.

Meeting Point and Parking
We'll meet in the car park of the Grand Junction Arms, where there should be ample parking at that time. Please be ready to leave by 11:05.

Travelling from London / by Train
There is now a new, on-demand bus service called HertsLynx which runs from all three nearby train stations; Berkhamsted, Tring and Hemel Hempstead. Depending on availability, you can book in advance to get from these stations to many of the walk start points for £3 each way.

The HertsLynx app is free and the service stops at Tring Garden Centre, about 400 yards from the Grand Junction Arms pub (if you tell the driver you're going to the pub he'll probably drop you off outside the door). Nearest train station is Tring.