Other Metropolitan Line Stations
I have highlighted walks from stations like Chesham and Amersham, but you can also take country walks from some other Metropolitan line stations. Although there are fewer options from these stations, they might come in useful as alternatives, particularly if engineering works block other options.
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Rickmansworth
Although inside the M25, Rickmansworth does have a number of interesting walking options. It sits on the Grand Union canal and at the confluence of the rivers Chess, Gade and Colne.
Rickmansworth is one end of the Chess Valley trail which runs right along the valley to Chesham. The Chiltern Conservation Board’s excellent leaflet on the Chess Valley trail provides options for taking the route to either Chorleywood station (around 7km) or Chalfont & Latimer station (about 11km), as well as the full 16km to Chesham. So it provides three walk options in one.
Rickmansworth is also close to the Grand Union Canal, with Batchworth Lock Canal Centre a little over 10 minutes walk from the station. The Canal Centre is the home of the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, which aims to inform about the environment and history of the canal. The centre has a café and information about the history of the canal. Their website gives details of 16 walks that you can do from the Lock, although simply walking up and down the canal provides nice walks.
Croxley and Watford
After Moor Park station the Metropolitan line diverges between the Watford and Amersham branches. The Watford branch passes through Croxley station on its way up to its terminus at Watford Metropolitan line station (not to be confused with Watford Junction on the Euston main line which is two kilometres away – a perennial scheme to link the two lines awaits funding).
There are fewer walking options on the Watford branch, but both Croxley and Watford stations can be used as entry points for walks along the Grand Union Canal.
Croxley station is only 300m from the Canal. A walk from there (south) to Uxbridge tube station is approximately 16km. The walk to Uxbridge from Watford station is a couple of kilometres further. Both routes are easy to find using Google maps. Alternatively you could walk north up the canal to Kings Langley station (approximately 7 km from Watford) or to Hemel Hempstead (13 km).
Croxley Green Parish Council website gives details of a number of walks that can be done in the area, including a circular ’Boundary Walk’ which can be begun from Croxley tube station.
Uxbridge
Uxbridge station is less than 10 minutes walk from the Grand Union Canal. That provides walking opportunities up to Rickmansworth, Croxley or Watford stations. Hillingdon Council provide details of a number of walks from Uxbridge. Although they are focused on the town itself, they could be extended by heading up or down the canal when the walk crosses it.