Walk stats
- Distance4.1 km · 2.6 mi
- Elevation+73 m
- Duration1 hr
- DifficultyEasy
- Route typeCircular
- TerrainWoodland paths and field tracks, gently undulating
- Best seasonSpring for bluebells, or autumn colour
- DogsDog friendly, keep on lead near livestock
About this walk
This gentle circular walk from the village of Sandridge weaves through the woodlands of Heartwood Forest, a landscape of young plantings and older ancient woodland just north of St Albans. Setting off from the village, you head out along field-edge paths towards Well Wood, where broadleaf trees shade the trail and birdsong replaces the distant hum of traffic.
The route continues through Langley Wood, one of the pockets of ancient woodland at the heart of the forest. Look out for bluebells in spring and a rich mix of oak, hornbeam and hazel underfoot. A short link takes you past Pismire Spring and Round Wood before the path curves back towards Sandridge across open farmland with wide Hertfordshire views.
Back in the village you pass the Sandridge Lychgate at the entrance to the parish church, with the Green Man pub a welcome finish point for a drink or bite to eat. At just over 4 km with only modest ascent, it is an easy, satisfying loop that packs a lot of woodland variety into a short outing.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
3 waypoints along the way
- 1
Sandridge (start and finish)
- Start / finish
Start and finish of this circular route.
- 2
Well Wood
- 3
Langley Wood
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
Sandridge Lychgate
~415 m off the route
Heartwood Forest
~284 m off the route
Pismire Spring
~281 m off the route
Round Wood
~294 m off the route
Green Man
~392 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).