New River Path
A 28-mile long-distance walk in Hertfordshire and Greater London following the course of the man-made New River, dug to bring fresh water into the city. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: TL 340 138
Distance: 28 miles (45 km)
Time: 10–14 hours
Duration: 1–2 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000):
173 London North
174 Epping Forest and Lee Valley
194 Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford
Summary
The New River Path follows the course of the New River in London, leading from its source point on the River Lea to Finsbury in Inner London. Essentially, this is a walk along a man-made channel dug in the early 17th century to bring clean drinking water into London.
Starting at a point between Hertford and Ware, the path travels through or close to Hoddesdon, Cheshunt, Enfield, Southgate, Wood Green, Hornsey, Stoke Newington, and Islington to Finsbury. The New River serves as a rich inner-city resource for leisure, offering plenty of opportunities along the way to observe diverse urban wildlife.