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Length: 23.7 km (14.7 mi) or 17.5 km/10.9 mi
Ascent/Descent: 240 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 5 ¼ hours (both: full walk)
Toughness: 4 out of 10 or 3 out of 10
A slightly longer, more westerly route
(25.7 km/16.0 mi) takes you over Essex’ highest point itself.
Take the 09.57 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Hackney
Downs 10.03, Tottenham Hale [Victoria Line] 10.10), arriving Audley
End at 11.00.Return trains: at xx.10 and xx.47. Buy an
Audley End return.
This is a relaxing walk in the quiet chalky uplands of north-west Essex,
on the borders of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, very much off the beaten
track, and with gently rolling hills, plenty of woods and copses as well as
some pretty villages. Right from the start the walk takes you past picturesque
thatched cottages with ample examples of pargeting, a decorative medieval
plastering technique, and on through some farmland to the early lunch stop in
Arkesden, one of the prettiest villages in Essex with one of the best pubs and
loveliest churches.
The route then gently ascends to Chrishall, the dedicated lunch stop on
the full walk, along field boundaries and green lanes. Chrishall village is
close to Essex’ highest point and the approach offers fine views into the
Hertfordshire plain and back down the wide ‘winding valley’ that gives Wendens
Ambo its name. After lunch you follow the Icknield Way to Elmdon, with views
north out across the Cambridgeshire plain to Cambridge, then alongside a high
hedge with views off to your right into the winding valley back to Wendens
Ambo.
Lunch: The Axe & Compasses in Arkesden
(4.9 km/3.0 mi, food from 12.00) for the short walk or The Red Cow
in Chrishall (13.1 km/8.2 mi, food to 15.30).
Tea: The Bell Inn, 10 minutes from the station, or
The
Fighting Cocks, 5 minutes beyond the station.
For walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.116
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