Borehamwood to St Albans - via the River Colne and River Ver Trail

Rating: 3.4 / 5

Distance: 15.8 miles

A brilliant hike in Hertfordshire. I parked at Borehamwood and Elstree station car park - I read this car park can get full during weekdays due to commuters going by rail into London. However I managed to find a space after 9am on a Monday.

I made my way across Borehamwood. I joined the London Loop breifly on my way to Aldenham Reservoir. I visited a small petting farm which was close to the reservoir called 'Aldenham Country Park Farm'. It was better than I expected. An adult ticket costs £7.50. There were pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, ducks, chickens & geese. You can buy farm feed but I didn't feel like doing so. I like to make my walks more interesting and memorable by visitng attractions on route.

After Aldenham Country Park I hiked past Elstree Aerodrome and while on the public footpath I got to see three planes taking off and got some nice photos. There is a footpath that takes you across the end of the runaway. You are allowed to cross here! It goes without saying be careful of the planes! I walked along the Hertfordshire way from Letchmore Heath to Wall Hall. There is an interesting mansion at Wall Hall.

The bridge that takes you towards the River Colne from Wall Hall has collapsed. However there is a smaller bridge a little bit furhter north which you can go across. However you will need to walk around the edge of the farmers field to get back on the public footpath. I have altered my route so you can get around this collapsed bridge.

I crossed the main bridge of the River Colne at the Munden House Estate. It was my first time walking this side of the river and the path is a lot more pleasant than the path that goes up the eastern side of the river. The routes I followed for the remainder of the trip were the Abbey Line Trail which connected to the River Ver Trail. I followed this trail all the way to St Albans. Another point of interest on the route was Frogmore Pits which were some nice lakes.

There was a very boggy part at Frogmore Meadows. Make sure you're wearing waterproof boots or hiking this route during a dry period. My boots went under water!

The River Colne and River Ver were great rivers to walk alongside

I visited Wetherspoons at the end of the hike. However they didn't have what I wanted to eat so I just refilled my water bottles there and headed to St Albans City Railway Station (there are two stations in St Albans make sure you go to the right one!). I got the fast train back to Borehamwood Railway Station. It was a lot quicker coming back. It was only a 11 minute train ride! (there are also regular trains every 9 minutes).