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@ao.com

ENJOY panoramic views over the Lea Valley then walk up the gentler valley of the River Ash and back through the old town of Ware.

Ware has been a centre of activity for more than 10,000 years, and this walk demonstrates one of the reasons, namely its strategic position on the River Lea, which you will be able to appreciate fully during stage two of the walk. Settlement by the Romans and Saxons and the passage of the Danes all add to the rich history of the area which can be examined in the town's museum.

Our walk is one of contrast. We leave and return to the town through its newer and less interesting fringe. At the start we climb gradually to the countryside and are soon rewarded by stupendous views across the town and the Lea Valley.

Later we descend into the valley of the River Ash for a stroll which must be one of the most picturesque in the area.

Crossing a ford (pedestrians use a bridge), we briefly join the Harcamlow Way to return to the outskirts of the town, eventually descending Musley Hill, which is lined with superb Victorian terraces and buildings of a grandiose style.

This is our second visit to Ware (see walk 17) and will not be our last. It is easily accessible by all forms of transport and offers a tremendous variety of routes.

StageOne: Walk up Station Road and turn L, go R over the road bridge and R again along the B1004 (Star Street which becomes Widbury Hill).

Pass the River Lea on your R and walk up a hill. About half way turn L up Little Widbury Lane.

Eventually, at a T junction, go R then soon turn R up Lower Clabdens. This becomes Cozens Road as it swings L, go forward with a public footpath sign along the R-hand side of a house to walk up the R edge of a large field to reach a T junction.

STAGETwo: 1.3miles

Turn R and keep to this path until you reach a road (B1004). Cross diagonally L to pick up a path going through farm buildings, climb a stile to the L of gates to go to another at the edge of a barn and turn R to walk with another barn on your L.

As you walk along this track, views open up on all sides (on the R, Ware; ahead, lakes formed by gravel working and the River Lee Navigation; when you round the corner you are looking out towards Broxbourne, Enfield and across London). The track swings downhill and ends abruptly in a field.

StageThree: 2 miles/3.2km

Turn sharp L and follow the field edge to descend into the Ash Valley. Follow the path as it goes to the L of a stand of trees with glimpses of the River Ash on your L.

Cross the river by a bridge on your L and ignoring the waymarker arrow, go half right to a stile in a hedge. Cross the stile and turn L then R to cross another into a field. Walk up the field towards a solitary pine, continue over the brow of the hill and descend to a stile diagonally L do not cross this but turn R to follow the route of the River Ash on your L, when this bends away keep alongside the fence (on your L) to cross a stile into a lane.

StageFour 2.8 miles/4.5km:

Turn L and follow the lane through a gateway, past a yellow clapboard house, at a T junction turn L to cross a bridge by a ford ancd walk up between farm buildings (the farm office was once a mission hall) to a road (B1004). Cross diagonally R to join another lane after about 1/4 mile the path forks just before a house (Swades Farm), go L to join a tree-elmed lane (this could be muddy). Emerge to go along the R hand edge of a field, at the end of the trees on your R, go L (with the outskirts of Ware over to your R).

StageFive 4 miles/6.5km:

At a blue waymarker turn R to join a hedged path which leads to a road where you turn R. Pass Priors Wood Primary School on the R. Eventually turn L down Rushfield Road then R along Tower Road. Soon after passing a large secondary school and a water tower, turn R at a junction and then L down Musley Hill. Go all the way down this road, passing a church on the L to reach the High Street where you turn L then R over the bridge. Go along the road and turn R back down Station Road to the station.

Walker's Notebook

Starting Point/Parking: Ware Station or the adjoining station car park (on Saturdays and Sundays parking is free, during the week the daily rate is £3.20 unless you arrive after 10am when the fee is just £1). If you come by car, you could miss out the town parts of the walk and reduce it by about two miles by parking in Cozens Road.

Distance: 5.7 miles/9.1km

Time: 2.5 hours

Terrain: Variable paths, some muddy. Some gentle climbing at the start.

Stiles: 8

Refreshments: Pubs, cafes, and restaurants in Ware.

Public Toilets: Ware station

Public Transport: WAGN runs regular services to Ware (you can make a connection at Tottenham Hale, enquiries 0875 48 49 50). Bus services 384 and 385 link to Stevenage and Hertford.

Map and Grid Reference: Explorer 194J GR 360140

More Information: West Essex Ramblers: membership and free programme of walks with leaders (8524 2737). Call the Redbridge group on 01708 456 771 and Lea Valley Friends on 8529 7328.