23rd June

A long walk in a hot day…not much more to report. Some good views of the Gade Valley at Great Gaddesden and Hudnall. I think the Gade Valley above Hemel Hempstead is beautiful and, on a hot day like this, it’s at its best. There are few woods to provide shelter from the blistering heat and the long walk from Nettleden to Little Gaddesden is particularly punishing. Even the wallaby we stumble upon up against the Whipsnade Safari park fence considered it too hot to hop away. Instead, it opted to quizzically stare at the odd English, out for the day. An enjoyable 14.9 mile walk although, to tell the truth, this walk is better reserved for a cooler day.

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Whipsnade picture gallery (more pictures on Flickr):

Blue skies and wild flower meadows

Fields near Studham, Hertfordshire

Foxgloves

Nettleden near Great Gaddesden

The Gade & Great Gaddesden

The Gade at Hudnall

The Gade Valley from Hoo Wood

Whipsnade Wallaby

Woodhill Farm, Nettleden Road

Distance: 14.9 miles ; Difficulty: Moderate

Postcode for Satnav: LU6 2PW

Whipsnade walk profile