HOOP Hitchin Outer Orbital Path
A 12-mile walk making a complete circuit of the town of Hitchin in Hertfordshire. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: TL 184 290
Distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Time: 5–6 hours
Duration: 1 day
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000):
193 Luton and Stevenage
Summary
The Hitchin Outer Orbital Path, affectionately known as the HOOP, is a circular walk around the town of Hitchin in Hertfordshire. It was created in the summer of 2010 to link a series of paths and public rights of way into a single 12-mile route around the town. From the start outside St Mary’s Church in Hitchin, the walk visits Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve, Mill Way, the village of Ickleford, Cadwell Crossing, Wilbury Hill, the western suburbs of Letchworth Garden City, Purwell Nature Reserve, Ippollitts Brook, and Charlton. The HOOP shares part of its route with the Icknield Way Trail and pathways along the courses of the River Oughton, the River Purwell, and the River Hiz.