Cycling Routes

Alban Way

The Alban Way is a trail for cyclists and walkers along a former railway line. It is an important link in the local sustainable transport network and forms part of Route 61 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. The Alban Way has a smooth surface, suitable for all users, with lighting at the Hatfield end. It has many access points, most of which are ramped or level. It provides a route for leisure, commuting and safe routes to school. The Alban Way is 61/2 miles long (about 40 minutes’ cycling). It runs between Cottonmill Lane in St Albans and Wrestlers Bridge in Hatfield, providing a safe link between these two historic towns, with access to many amenities and facilities. For most of its length, the Alban Way runs along the former route of the Hatfield to St Albans branch line of the Great Northern Railway. Opened in 1865, the line was used for freight and passenger services until it was closed and dismantled in 1969.
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Ayot Green Way

The Ayot Green Way runs between Welwyn Garden City and Wheathampstead centres for around four kilometres and is accessible to all users except motorised vehicles.
The Green Way was once part of the Luton to Welwyn Garden City single track railway line which was finally closed in 1966. This line was a passenger and commercial link, not only for the hat and motor industries in Luton but also for rural passengers including George Bernard Shaw who lived in Ayot St Lawrence. Starting at Campus West in Welwyn Garden City the well surfaced Green Way heads west through Sherrardspark Wood, over the A1(M)to Ayot Green and then on to Wheathampstead through pretty woodland and rolling open fields. At Hunters Bridge the path changes to tarmac for a short distance, the legacy of filming by Stephen Spielberg for his "Band of Brothers" drama. Just east of Wheathampstead the path turns south into Sheepcote Lane where it then follows a brand new surfaced right of way path to the centre of the village. The connection to the High Street is via Mount Road
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The Nickey Line

The Nickey Line was a 7mile (12km) branch line that once linked the Midland Railway at Harpenden to Boxmoor, near Hemel Hempstead. Much of the track bed still remained intact when it was bought by Dacorum and St Albans councils in the early 1980’s and opened for walking and cycling. The route now forms a pleasant green corridor with a rural aspect along much of its length providing attractive countryside or woodland walks as well as generally traffic-free access to school and work. Although there are steep embankments or cuttings and several bridges have been removed there is level access for cyclists and wheelchairs along most of the route. The Nickey Line forms part of Route 57 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network which continues through Harpenden to Wheathampstead and Welwyn Garden City. From Harpenden, Route 6 goes south to St Albans & Watford, and north to Luton & Milton Keynes. Enjoy the route as a relaxing journey to work or school away from the road network. Alternatively, take a leisurely walk or ride looking out for the abundant local wildlife. In addition, a number of circular paths can be enjoyed incorporating rights of way which cross the Line.
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Great North Way

For further information on the Great North Way, please visit http://www.greatnorthway.org.uk/
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