Walks you can reach from Aylesbury Vale Parkway by train

A straightforward, mostly flat route with long stretches along the canal towpaths of the Aylesbury and Wendover arms of the Grand Union Canal and linked by well-marked public footpaths. Uneven surfaces in places. Follows the towpaths of the Aylesbury and Wendover arms of the Grand Union Canal. The route may change due to nearby construction.

Warnings: Stiles and a very narrow bridge. The section between the Aylesbury arm and the A41 Tring Road, east of Manor Farm, can be very overgrown and difficult to follow.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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Flat

Wendover to Amersham (Buckinghamshire)

15 minutes direct from Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

Good views. A varied mix of woodland, farmland and villages, well-waymarked and mostly on easy paths, with some pavement walking and country lanes near Amersham and Hyde Heath. There is one particularly narrow, muddy path that is hard to avoid, after heavy rain several stretches can develop deep and extensive mud. Follows a small part of the Ridgeway and some of the Chiltern Link. Extensive woodland.

Lunch: There is a small village shop in Hyde Heath, but it is often closed.

Warnings: On the approach to Hyde Heath there is no pavement, forcing you onto the road or a narrow grass verge; take care. After rain some stretches develop deep mud, and a fallen tree may block the path near the Chesham–Missenden road.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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Rolling

Amersham to Hemel Hempstead (Buckinghamshire)

30 minutes direct from Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

A pleasant walk through suburbs, woodland, fields and meadows, generally easy underfoot with plenty of places to rest. Some paths require care to avoid nettles and a few stretches can become muddy after rain. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: There is one road crossing that needs particular care.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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Rolling

Amersham to Berkhamsted (Buckinghamshire)

30 minutes direct from Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

Really quite stunning; a lot more scenic than I expected; bluebell woods. A beautiful but poorly plotted route through fields, lanes and bluebell woods, with steep hills, some muddy sections and a crossing of the River Chess with a small waterfall. Several busy fast roads must be crossed without clearly marked footpaths, one path is reached through a narrow, steep, muddy gap in a hedge. The plotting draws straight lines where turns exist and so it is longer than stated; allow extra time. Fairly demanding. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: A couple of very busy, fast roads (including the A41 and B4505) must be crossed without clearly marked footpaths, with some verge walking; the path on the far side can be a hidden gap in the hedge. A neglected kissing gate has a big step down. Steep hills and muddy sections. The route is under-plotted, so allow more time than the stated distance suggests.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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Steep

Amersham to Gerrards Cross (Buckinghamshire)

30 minutes direct from Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

Very beautiful, an idyllic walk. A mostly flat walk through the open Misbourne valley with steep hills at both ends, following the South Bucks Way along compacted-mud field paths with tree roots and stones and between beech woods and across fields. The paths can be muddy and slippery after rain; a steep paved climb leads up through woods at the Amersham end. Largely follows the South Bucks Way along the River Misbourne. There are gates but no stiles. Can be broken at Chalfont St Giles or Chalfont St Peter. Extensive woodland.

Lunch: Places to stop for refreshments at Gerrards Cross, Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles and Old Amersham.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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Gentle

Amersham to Chorleywood (Buckinghamshire)

30 minutes direct from Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

Brilliant views over the Chess Valley; the unique yellow gold of autumn beeches shining in the low sun. A wooded Chilterns walk crossing open land, field edges and well-made farm tracks, with great views over the Chess Valley. Underfoot is variable — soft mud or grass in the open, exposed and sometimes hidden tree roots in the woods, tiring stony bases on the farm tracks. Can be deeply muddy when wet and but no long climbs. Spectacular for snowdrops, bluebells and daffodils in season; muntjac deer present. No facilities between the two towns apart from benches. Extensive woodland.

Lunch: No facilities between the towns apart from benches; shops at either end.

Warnings: Slippery, sometimes deep mud after wet weather — good boots advised. One fast-traffic crossing of the A404 (Amersham Road). Confusing signposting near Whitelands Wood at the Chorleywood end.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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Steep

Chorleywood to Hemel Hempstead (Hertfordshire)

30 minutes direct from Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

A varied, undulating walk through woods, riverside paths, commons, quaint villages and huge farm fields, following the Chess Valley walk for a way. Mostly good underfoot with some muddy and waterlogged sections; several quiet road sections with narrow or no verges. Steps and stiles and gates. Follows the Chess Valley walk through woods and past Sarratt. The south side of Hemel Hempstead station can only be exited with a special swipe card. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: The section down London Road out of Hemel Hempstead is busy and the least pleasant part; a short detour to traffic lights helps. Care is needed on a 30m stretch at the south exit of Roughdown Common. Stiles, gates and steps at either end.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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