At Hertford the path follows the towpath of the River Lee Navigation, and it becomes increasingly urbanised as it approaches London.

After Harpenden the path leaves the railway track and heads uphill into Wheathampstead, then it goes through the village, past the church, and crosses over to the other bank of the river.

The path now follows the river towards Water End Lane and the grounds of Brocket Hall where it crosses the middle of a golf course on its way towards Lemsford.

Approximately 16.1 miles (25.9 km) The original path runs alongside the A414 road in the grounds of Home Park Hatfield cutting through a small woodland to the Cecil Saw Mill.

The path goes under the A1170 road opposite the Saracen's Head public house and then passing Hardmead Lock.

Passing Feildes Weir Lock, the Rye House Power Station dominates the skyline.

Crossing the river opposite the Fish and Eels public house which is above Dobbs Weir and then over the Hoddesdon to Nazeing road close to the Lee Valley Camping site (Permanently closed 2010) where a stretch of the Old River Lea can be seen.

Past Waltham Common Lock and then Waltham Town Lock which is adjacent to the Showground Site the chosen venue to host the 2012 Summer Olympics canoeing and kayak slalom events will be known as the Broxbourne White Water Canoe Centre.

Adjacent to the Rifles public house ( closed May 2008 ) is the Old River Lea and section 13 of the London Loop a Long-distance path can be joined.

Above Ponders End lock opposite the towpath is the Navigation Inn, a former pumping station built in 1899.

The inn offers moorings for passing boats and views of the grassed embankment of the King George V reservoir.

The west bank opens up with views of the golf course– part of the Lee Valley Leisure Complex.

From the lock the 100 metre chimney of the Edmonton Incinerator dominates the skyline, and on the horizon the towers of Canary Wharf and the Swiss Re can be clearly seen.

The Coppermill Stream joins the Lea close to the Lee Valley Marina.Passing by Springfield Park the path crosses the river at Horseshoe Bridge.

Approximately 4.9 miles (7.9 km) Amenities in Lea Bridge Road area include the Lee Valley Ice Centre, riding stables and two nature reserves; the Middlesex Filter Beds and the Waterworks Nature Reserve.

Still following the navigation which is known as the Hackney Cut at this point, the path passes the site of the redundant Pond Lane Flood Gates.

The Hertford Union Canal joins the river on the west bank before crossing Victoria Park.

Heading towards Old Ford Lock the path links to the Capital Ring walk and then passing under The Greenway and the Docklands Light Railway close to Pudding Mill Lane station.

The towpath section of the river is popular with cyclists, and much of it forms part of National Cycle Route 1.

[4] Ordnance Survey Explorer 162.174.182.193 Landranger 166.177 Lea Valley Walk by Leigh Hatts ISBN 978-1-85284-522-3 Published by Cicerone Press