A. Hartham Lane Car Park is a long car park, with the far end being only a 10 metre walk from the river. There is easy access to the navigation from here.

B. From your put in you turn left, downstream. Before heading off you may want to go slightly upstream to take a look at the former workmen’s cottages, factories and malt houses served by the navigation. The Barge pub is on the right.

C. Turn back down the navigation and go past the marina on your right, with a large weir to the left.

D. Pass under two bridges before reaching Hertford lock after 0.5 miles. Portage to the right of the lock. The navigation is wide, reflecting the amount of trade which was carried out on the navigation.

E. The River Beane, from Stevenage, enters from the left and to the right of the navigation is a wide open space. Known as King’s Meads, it is a floodplain which is important for wildlife and is managed by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. It is also the out take for the New River, which was constructed in 1613 to provide water for London.

F. Half a mile after passing under the A10 viaduct you will reach Ware Lock. This can be portaged to the left. It can be a little tricky descending the flight of steps but should not present any real problems.

G. Coming into Ware, you will notice the pretty, 18th century, riverside gazebo’s which stand in the former gardens of the High Street coaching inns that used to run down to the river. There used to be more of these gazebos but many fell into disrepair until the remaining ten were recently restored. It is possible to stop here for refreshments in the town.

H. After leaving Ware the navigation turns south and enters the Lee Valley Park. The towpath is to the right, whilst to the left are flooded old gravel workings, inaccessible from the navigation.

I. At 3.25 miles you will reach Hardmead Lock, which is portaged on the right. From here the navigation is very straight but retains a rural feel and is never far from the sights and sounds of the railway.

J. After another mile comes Stansted Lock; portage to the right and set back off through Stansted St Margaret’s. This can be an alternative finish or turn back point for your paddle. There are plenty of places to get out and a marina on the left hand side of the navigation. The railway station is close by, with a small car park and frequent trains back to Hertford, if you want to go to collect your car.

K. After this point the river becomes more meandering, passing underneath the busy A414. You will reach Rye House Stadium, on your left, after around 6 miles. At weekends you may be able to hear and even see the karting which takes place at the stadium.

L. A little farther along you will arrive at Fieldes Weir Lock and the confluence with the Stort Navigation, coming in from Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford. Portage on the right and continue for one mile to Dobbs Lock. Just before arriving at the lock you will see a cafe and car park on your left. This is another option to stop for refreshments or to shorten your trip if you are shuttling. Dobbs Lock is portaged on the left.

M. In the past Dobbs Weir was regularly used for whitewater training and playboating but it is currently deemed unsafe and the sluice gates are locked.

N. Continue along the navigation to the Carthagena Lock, also portaged to the left. From here it is just over half a mile to your finish point.

O. As you approach a bend in the river, you will see a leisure centre on your right. Carry on around the corner and turn right into a spur which has a ‘No Entry’ sign (this only applies to narrow boats). Here you will see a canoe and cycle hire company with a small landing stage and the Old Mill cafe. If you finish your route here it is only a short walk to the remains of Broxbourne Mill, which was powered by the original river. It is also worth walking up the short hill to the church, from which you can see the New River again.