Sunday Walk: Grand Junction Arms, Pitstone Hill (& Optional College Lake)

This is a beautiful walk of about 6 miles from The Grand Junction Arms pub on the canal at Bulbourne near Tring. Our route features views across the hills and plains from Pitstone Hill ridge; a lush, wide, grass carpeted path from which you can also see across to Ivinghoe Beacon and Pitstone Windmill. There are also some canal paths, and some gentle hill paths into the woods, with a bonus that after the walk you'll be 100 yards from College Lake Nature Reserve, which is free to go in, if you want to visit that after. Walking time approx. 2.5 hours.

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

After the walk you have the option to stay for a drink and/or food at the Grand Junction Arms pub, which gives a friendly welcome and is known locally as a good place to go for food. Here is their website and menu;

www.thegrandjunctionarmstring.co.uk

College Lake - An Optional Extra!
College Lake (see photo in gallery) 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 (optionally) visit the information centre and walk round College Lake after our walk, as it's just a hundred yards up the road from the Grand Junction Arms pub. Please note they don't allow dogs because of the birds.

Free Parking
I've phoned the pub to ask them about parking and they're happy for people to park in their car park and walk before using the pub. Most of us will typically stay for a drink.

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 £2 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.

HertsLynx App: https://bookings.hertslynx.co.uk

More info: https://www.intalink.org.uk/hertslynx

Google Map of HertsLynx Pickup Points

The app will invite you to choose one of two districts; Dacorum or North East Herts. Choose the Dacorum district.

Phone HertsLynx: 0300 123 4050

Please note that this walk is not led by a qualified leader and, as such, isn't covered by insurance. Be sure to wear suitable boots and clothing. The organiser cannot be held responsible for any injuries, however caused. Members are expected to take responsibility for their own preparation and safety including adequate fluids, weather protection and a snack. Please be sure to make me aware if you have any medical conditions.

Dogs are welcome as always but please be mindful to keep them on leads for roads and around other animals. These events are not for children.

If you are unable to attend please be sure to change your RSVP otherwise our departure will be delayed. If you have any urgent (arrival related) messages within an hour of the start time please post them to the event's Meetup page comments.