The walk starts underneath the modern bridge that crosses the Lea Navigation Canal. To access the starting point, turn right out of the White Water Centre and follow the path that goes down to the canal to the right of the bridge.
[1] From the bridge cross over Lee Navigation Canal to reach a wide path. Almost immediately take the path on the left and walk 200 metres (passing over a small stream). Shortly after you cross the stream the path meets another, take this path to the left.
[2] Follow this path, keeping the brook on your left.
There are two bird hides along this path off to your right: a Snipe Hide (B) and a Teal Hide (D). Both look out over Hall Marsh Scrape (C).
(C) Hall Marsh Scrape was the site of gravel extraction in the last century. It was subsequently back filled and in 1985 scrapes with profiled shorelines, islands and gravel areas were constructed, creating a simulated floodplain grassland. The site is maintained by a combination of flooding, grazing and cutting. West shorelines are kept vegetation free providing an invertebrate rich muddy edge. East shorelines are allowed to grow to provide cover for species like Snipe.
Floodplain grasslands, which are becoming increasingly rare in the UK, have groundwater levels just below the surface and are affected by shallow seasonal flooding. Rich in plants and invertebrates they provide winter feeding grounds which can attract large numbers of wildfowl and offer ideal breeding habitat for a variety of waders.
[3] At the next junction bear right and continue along a path that takes you alongside a brook on your left (and Friday Lake beyond) with Hall Marsh Scrape to your right. There is a large viewpoint/Plover Hide on your right (E) which looks out across the Scrape and the Floodplain Grasslands (C).
[4] Continue along the path and, about 15m before it joins the National Cycle Network 1, turn left and across a wooden bridge.
Follow this path for about 500m,as it winds between Hooks Marsh Lake (H) to the right and Friday Lake (F), and then Police Pit (G) to the left.
[5] Where the path reaches a T-junction, turn left onto the made-up path and continue straight on, ignoring any paths to the right.
[6] Cross the stone-sided bridge over the Lea Navigation canal, and continue on and over a metal-sided bridge, passing the Lookout point over North Metropolitan Pit (I).
[7] At the end of the bridge, turn immediately left and, with the brook on your left, continue for 400m until you reach the small Lea Valley Car Park.
Along this path you will see, to your right, some Crufts-style structures which serve as an obstacle course for dogs. To the left you will notice the triangular roofs of the London Lea Valley YHA log cabins.
[8] Go through the car park and turn right into Windmill Lane. Cross the railway line (by either the rail crossing or pedestrian bridge), cross the road and turn left into the forecourt of Cheshunt Station [9].