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, we suggest a voluntary annual membership donation of £1 (50p if you join July onwards) at your first event of each year plus a voluntary donation of £2 for each hike for every participant. Cash is preferred or you can use Paypal https://paypal.me/SouthHertsHikers
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://4142298.xyz/SouthHertsHikers/members/?op=leaders link on Meetup to contact the organizers via Meetup messaging.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Sunday Afternoon Hike Hadley Green - Saffron Green - Arkley - circular 6.2 milesHadley Green Road, Greater London
Join like-minded outdoor enthusiasts for a Sunday afternoon hike in the Hertfordshire Green Belt countryside just outside London. Discover some scenic footpaths and green spaces including Saffron Green.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, this 6.2 mile (10.0 km) hike is perfect for exploring new trails and embracing the great outdoors. It starts and ends at Hadley Green which is near a number of Transport for London Bus routes and 15 mins walk from High Barnet tube station (Northern Line).In case you were out Saturday night, we are meeting later than usual on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. for 11:45 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.field
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
From the start, we take a public footpath across Old Fold Manor Golf Course to the Green Dragon pub (short stop). We continue via Dyrham Park to Saffron Green (lunch stop) then on footpaths to Arkley and back to the start at Hadley Green.
Most of the route is on public footpaths in the countryside and these may be muddy in places if the weather has been wet. Total distance 6.2 miles (10.0 km) and it is fairly flat with only 61 metres (200 ft) of ascent and descent.
We expect to finish the hike by 3:45 p.m. or earlier. Sunset 3:51 p.m.
Optional tea and cakes at a cafe in Barnet afterwards.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
Green Dragon pub https://www.thegreendragonbarnet.co.uk/
Saffron Green Meadows, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron_Green_Meadows
HIKING MAP:
We use Ordnance Survey 'Explorer' 1:25,000 scale, Sheet 173, London North.
ONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Herts Hikers. There is a map in the event photo above.
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 Central Connect 84B bus service between Potters Bar and Barnet does not run on a Sunday.
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:
Free parking on Sundays by the A1000 road at Hadley Green near the meeting place. Please see first photo in photo album.
• What to bring
Much of the route is on public footpaths in the countryside. Some of these may be stony and there could be some muddy patches after wet weather. You need:- Adequate footwear, preferably hiking boots, with good grip
- Outdoor jacket and a waterproof jacket in case it rains
- Drink
- Packed lunch
• Important to know
There will be a short stop for a drink at the Green Dragon pub 2.5 km from the start but there won't be time to order lunch and in any case, booking is normally required for Sunday lunch. We then continue to Saffron Green 4.8 km from the start. There are seats there for a lunch stop, bring a packed lunch. Please see photos in the photo album for this event but the photos were taken in summer!
Although the event is shown on Meetup as free, so you don't need to pay when you sign up, group organisers have to pay Meetup and this cost has increased by 81% from July 2024 so we invite voluntary donations to cover group running costs. We suggest a voluntary donation of £3 for each hike for every participant. Cash is preferred or you can use Paypal https://paypal.me/SouthHertsHikersPlease note our membership criteria and guidelines for etiquette. From this Meetup Group's home page https://4142298.xyz/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/