Ware Lock – King's Meads Nature Reserve loop from St Margarets

Hiking trails & Routes

Stanstead St Margarets

Ware Lock – King's Meads Nature Reserve loop from St Margarets

Moderate

4.9

(7)

hikers

Ware Lock – King's Meads Nature Reserve loop from St Margarets

04:10

16.5km

30m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 27, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

209 m

River Lee Navigation at Stanstead Abbotts

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Jolly Fisherman is a lovely pub with plenty of outdoor seating.

Tip by

2.19 km

Hardmead Lock 3 (River Lee Navigation)

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is a lovely lock located along the River Lea, close to the Amwell Nature Reserve. The area features a lockkeepers cottage and beautiful scenery all around, making it very …

Tip by

4.55 km

Ware Lock

Highlight • Bridge

Moderate trail in beautiful area of Hertfordshire

Tip by

6.69 km

Hertford Lock 1 (River Lee Navigation)

Highlight • Bridge

Hertford Lock 1 is situated along the River Lea on the eastern side of Hartham Common. The lockkeepers' cottage is very pretty and a lovely backdrop for a photo.

Tip by

10.7 km

King's Meads Nature Reserve

Highlight • Viewpoint

King's Meads Nature Reserve is one of the largest water meadows in Hertfordshire. It is home to 265 types of wildflower and 119 species of bird, including many rare species. …

Tip by

10.7 km

New Gauge House

Highlight • Monument

New Gauge is the start of the New River, a water supply aqueduct that provides water for North London. The Gauge House is Grade II-listed and was constructed in 1856. …

Tip by

12.9 km

View from Ware Town Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

Amazing views from either side of the bridge

Tip by

15.9 km

Stanstead Lock

Highlight • Bridge

Stanstead Lock has earned the reputation as the most difficult in England for barges to pass through, due to the fact that it incorporates a rare example of a swing …

Tip by

16.5 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

10.8 km

4.24 km

1.28 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

9.49 km

5.07 km

1.40 km

379 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 7 October

14°C

6°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 22, 2022,Rye House to Hertford

Beautiful part of the Lea Navigation, with a few good pubs on the way. Wanted to see a bit more of the New River but the route was partly closed temporarily so had to go back to the Lea; no great hardship.

July 5, 2025,Hertford East to Rye House - exploration

Starting with a visit to a Simmons bakery (Herts/Beds bakery chain) & detour into Tesco, I thought I'd finally follow the "Countryside walk" sign I've considered so many times. It was interesting to end up on the north bank for a bit. There was a boaters festival on in Ware, which was fun to see. Wandered through Amwell, with the …