Meander By The River Walk 47 Three Miles (from East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Each fortnight, Len Banister of the West Essex Ramblers provides you with a detailed itinerary for a short walk. Feedback and suggestions for future excursions are always welcome. Email him on talkingwalking@aol.com

The railway from Hertford conscientiously follows the valley of the River Lea all the way down to London. This means that it is easy to have car-free walks and jump on a train when you get exhausted.

This week we follow the Lea for most of the time but take a detour just to check on a particularly pleasant section of the New River at Great Amwell.

At three miles, this is quite a short walk, but you could always lengthen it by continuing to Rye House Station (we will be going there on a future walk).

Once again I was accompanied by ladies belonging to the Asian Healthcare Project.

Information about the project and the walks it organises can be obtained using the telephone number in the Walkers' Notebook section.

StageOne:
LEAVE the station and turn L. At the main road, by the level crossing, turn R (on your left is a car park where there are toilets). Walk down the road towards a roundabout, just before it cross the first road to the R then cross another to the 'Welcome to the Lee Valley Regional Park' sign.

STAGETWO 0.2 miles 0.3 km:
WALK down to the riverside this is the River Lea Navigation. At first you will pass lots of riverside flats, many of which have been converted from warehouses. Later, there is some light industry then open countryside. After just over half a mile you reach Hardmead Lock.

STAGETHREE 1.1miles/1.7km:
TURN R and walk up a lane bordered by trees and bushes to reach the railway line. Cross stiles on either side and the track with care to continue up the lane. At the top you join a road junction. Cross the minor road to go through a green kissing gate on the L to walk on a permissive path by the New River (you should have the river and main road on your R). You eventually arrive at a green gate.

StageFour 1.8 miles/2.9km:
CROSS the road and continue ahead (on the R-hand side of the road) past the attractive wider section of the New River this is Great Amwell. After a few metres you can leave the road and rejoin the riverside walk. In a short distance you come to some steps on the L.

StageFive 2 mies/3.2 km:
GO down the steps and across the road to go ahead along a lane. This leads you back to the railway which you cross, this time through more convenient gates. The track climbs to a bridge, just before this, turn R.

StageSix 2.2 miles/ 3.5 km:
YOU are once again walking with the River Lea Navigation on your L. Beyond the river you can see vast gravel pits that are managed to preserve wildlife, especially a wide variety of birds. You keep on this path for about half a mile. Just before you get to Stanstead Lock you will be able to see a fine collection of river cruisers and narrow-boats. Past the lock, weeping willows trail in the water and you approach an attractive bridge carrying a road across the river. Go up the slope to the R of the bridge and turn R to walk to St Margarets Station.

Walkers' Notebook Starting Point/Parking: Ware (Hertfordshire) Station Distance: 3 miles/4.7 km Time: One-and-a-half hours Terrain: Good paths, you could take a push-chair on this walk as long as you are prepared to lift it over a couple of stiles Stiles: Two Near: Ware Refreshments: Pubs and cafes in Ware and Stanstead Abbotts Public Toilets: just after the start (see text)

Public Transport: trains to Ware run from Seven Sisters. If you travel from Tottenham Hale you need to change at Broxbourne. There are trains at least every half an hour exact times can be obtained by phoning 08457 48 49 50 Map and Grid Reference: Explorer 174, 360 140 More Information: Find out more about the Asian Health Care Project from Zara Abbas on 020 8503 6254.

You can get more details about the Lea Valley Way from the Park Information Centre on 01992 702200.

West Essex Ramblers: memberships and free programme of walks with leaders: 020 8524 2737 (Redbridge Group: 01708 456 771 and Lea Valley Friends who specialise in walks of 3 to 4 miles 020 8529 7328).

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