Tom's Hill and Cow Roast (near Tring)

This is one of a series of walks through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It follows rights of way, most of which are clearly waymarked. It takes you past the Chiltern Hills Natural Mineral Water bottling site and onto the National Trust's Ashridge Estate

1. From the Cow Roast Inn cross the road to the canal lock, taking great care of fast traffic, and go left along the canal towpath.2. From Newground Road, the first road crossing, take the second track on the right after the railway bridge. On the far side of the field turn left and go up towards the wood.3. Go into the wood and up Tom's Hill (a byway open to all traffic). After the Chiltern Hills Natural Mineral Water bottling site, take the first footpath on the right into the National Trust's Ashridge estate.4. Keep to the boundary of the wood until you see signs for the Icknield Way, then follow these south, skirting the edge of Northchurch Common.5. Go down the lane past Norcott Court and over the railway, until you reach the canal. Turn right along the towpath to return to Cow Roast.

Getting there

Parking: The Cow Roast Inn has a car park for those people wishing to use the pub before or after their walk. The Inn has a varied menu, a selection of real ales and a large, peaceful garden.

Public transport: Tring Station is a 1.5 mile walk away along the canal towpath. Bus numbers 30 and 322 stop outside the Cow Roast Inn, Mondays to Saturdays. For bus and train details call the Hertfordshire Traveline on 0845 7244344. By car, the Cow Roast Inn is between Berkhamsted and Tring on the A4251.

Waypoints