Pete's Walks - Grand Union Canal 'figure-of-eight' walk (page 3 of 3)
The towpath led on to the hamlet of Cow Roast, where there was yet another lock and a marina. Continuing on along the canal, I was surprised how many narrow boats were moored here, there are always some but today they continued almost unbroken as far as the next bridge, about half a mile away. The final part of this section along the canal was very pleasant, as the canal runs through a cutting with trees either side - it will look even more attractive in a few weeks time when the trees are at their autumn best.
Lock at Cow Roast
Marina at Cow Roast - the wooded hill in the background is near Tom's Hill which I would pass later
The canal west of Cow Roast
The canal approaching Tring Station
I turned off the canal at the bridge at Tring Station, heading north past the actual station and taking a path on the left. This was soon running alongside the golf course at Aldbury. I remembered to keep straight on where I usually turn right to reach the village, the path continuing beside the golf course. It soon became a 'green tunnel' with no views either side. It ended at a lane, where I turned right to reach the centre of Aldbury, with its pond, stocks and old cottages.
The road out of Tring Station
Near the start of the path past the golf course to Aldbury
The path past the golf course to Aldbury
The path past the golf course to Aldbury
Aldbury
I continued through the village, turning left to pass through the allotments and to pick up the path towards the hamlet of Tom's Hill. As I followed the lane towards the hamlet, I remembered seeing Fallow deer cross the lane in front of me when I first walked this 'Berkhamsted-Tring' circuit a couple of months ago - right on cue, a few deer suddenly appeared in the trees over to my left, the only ones I'd see on the walk.
Path through the allotments at Aldbury, the wooded slopes of Ashridge in the background
Path from Aldbury towards Tom's Hill
The lane to Tom's Hill
I turned left into the trees before reaching Tom's Hill, continuing on a path across the grounds of a large house in the hamlet and on across fields to reach another hamlet, Norcott Hill. There I turned left, passing through another small area of trees to emerge onto the edge of a huge area of open grass, the main part of Northchurch Common. I followed the edge of the grass for several hundred yards, before turning right and following a broad path through trees again to reach the drive where I had started my walk.
The path from Tom's Hill to Norcott Hill
The wide expanse of Northchurch Common
Path through Northchurch Common, close to my start/finish point
The walk had taken me about six hours, which is what I'd expect for just over 18 miles. It had been enjoyable, despite the pale grey skies throughout, and I'm sure I'll do it again sometime. After numerous walks slightly shorter than my usual 15 miles, I'd wanted to do a longer walk and this fitted the bill nicely. Having done the two component parts of the walk before really helped, as I had no worries about navigation. I didn't feel too bad at the end of the walk, but did stiffen up later on in the evening.