Take the train to Bishop's Stortford railway station - get a return even though you will not travel back from this station. Leave the station through the car park and head to the metal steps to your left. When you get to these steps you will see they bridge over the river, however, do not cross, go left here along the towpath.
Metal Step Bridge - Bishops Stortford
This section of the 'river' is called the Stort Navigation and is clearly a canal. The actual river is about 24 miles long and leads into the Lee in north London and finally the Thames at Limehouse. Carry on the left of the river as you walk south until you reach an intersection with a road. Cross the road and the path will continue through a signposted entrance on your left. The trail has now crossed the canal and you are walking on the right of it.
The leafy surroundings create small tunnels which the narrowboats travel through. This is especially visible in the summer, when I walked the route though I enjoyed it so much I'll be going again in the winter. There are many views and moments to capture if you have a camera, lots of sidings too that take you off in different trails on nature walks and reserves.
When you get to South Mill Lock 1, cross over using the small bridge and carry on down the left of the river.
A couple of walks to mention are Rushy Mead Nature Reserve - a small quiet location. And Thorley Wash Nature Reserve, as I understand it these are bird sanctuaries and no dogs are allowed on walks in them. Not long after Rushey Mead Nature Reserve you will need to cross another road - this is Pig Lane. Here you will keep to the left of the canal.
Very popular with canal boats, you'll find a few marinas along this section. Make sure you are looking left and right, there is plenty to see and people to say good day too. After Pig Lane the countryside opens up to ploughed fields and meadows. Before long you'll come across Thorley Wash which is over a white bridge on the opposite side of the water. At this point, you are over halfway to Sawbridgeworth.
On this occasion, I didn't visit the Wash Meadows but I would advise if you are a keen bird watcher. As the canal twists and turns, you'll pass farms and hills to the left and right. There are lots of locks on this walk which are always good stopping points.
So finally, you'll come to a road which you 'can' pass under. This is the point where you can end your walk as you are in the town of Sawbridgeworth and a left turn and 2 minute walk will get you to the station. However, you can carry on to Harlow and or Roydon which are further down the line and both have stations on the same line.
I hope you enjoy this walk - feedback is welcome, please look through my other London based hikes in easy reach of the capital.
