A diverse, 70-mile, 7-stage trail over the rolling Hertfordshire hills, along winding rivers & through Essex villages & towns to Cambridge.

Start Great Shelford Great Anglia Trains

End Cambridge Great Anglia Trains

Difficulty Easy

Length 9.4 miles

Average time 4-5 hours

Total ascent 103 ft

See walk

Cambridge comes into view on this gentle, flat walk from the traditional villages of Great and Little Shelford, with their thatched cottages and striking churches. Much of the route follows the River Cam as it winds steadily toward the city centre.

Along the way we’ll pass Byron’s Pool — a popular wild-swimming spot named after the poet, who swam here during his time at Trinity College. We’ll also see the former home of Rupert Brooke, where sculptures dot the grounds, as well as the wonderfully old-fashioned, deck-chaired Orchard Tea Rooms at Grantchester.

As we follow the river, punts begin to appear — a trickle at first, becoming a lively stream by the time we reach Silver Street. The walk finishes with a short stroll past some of Cambridge’s most impressive colleges, including the world-famous King’s College.

Description supplied by the event organiser.