Ricwat two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

A straightforward walk using for a large section - the well pathed and walked/ wheeled and cycled Ebury Way. A group of us walked this route in reverse from Watford High St. to Rickmansworth.

The Watford end is well placed for the main facilities (being at the bottom of the high street). Buses stop nearby (5-10 mins walk) at Claredon Street, and the overground station at the meeting place can whisk you away to other destinations (with connections).

Walking from town, there is a bit of pavement walking alongside busy roads, but crossings are reasonable. From Oxhey Park, you join the cycleway, and quickly are on the quiet (except for passing cyclists who share the route) Ebury Way. A stop at Watford and Leavesden Cycle Hub can break up this route if needed (there are toilets, seating and refreshments there).

There are limited obstructions on RicWat2, unless you detour onto Croxley Moor (where there is some kissing gates). Entering Rickmansworth via Hampermill Lake, there are some narrower path sections, but nothing seems too restrictive.

In Rickmansworth, the meeting place (as discussed in other reviews) could be better placed, although the train station and bus stops are nearby (5 minute walk).

Totally legitimate part of the network. A lovely and efficient walk and uses existing walking infrastructure (purposeful), what a good Slow Way should be.

We joined the route at Watford and after walking along busy road quickly found ourselves in countryside. The walk was accessible for wheelchairs and buggies.
The cycle hub at Croxley Green is about halfway with seating, toilets and snacks.
I think you would feel safe walking this route by yourself during the day. Varied scenery and information boards along the way with the opportunity to walk round nature reserve. Well sign posted.

On leaving the lower part of Watford High Street the route runs close to the A411 road and close to a busy shopping mall. There are two single lanes of potentially fast-moving traffic to cross before reaching Oxhey Park.

Once in the park the well-maintained path (the Ebury Way) follows the Colne River and then the disused railway line. The Watford Cycle Hub mid-distance offers seating, drinks and toilet facilities. For the remainder of the walk the route is a good surface and seems quite popular with cyclists - some riding at speed !

Arriving in Rickmansworth there are quite narrow pavements and it is safer to cross the road (not too busy) where the footpath is wider. The end point of the walk would be better if moved to the top of Station Road adjacent to the tube station and bus stops.

I would walk this route again. It is level throughout, feels safe and has no apparent access issues. I would recommend it as it is.

From Watford High St Station the route quickly leaves urban Watford behind for a pleasant, safe, walk through largely unspoiled countryside to Rickmansworth on level terrain
The walk finishes at one end the pedestrianised section of the High Street. The bus stop shown here has now been moved to the adjacent Northway but is still only of very limited use. I would recommend ending the route at the railway station to give a wider choice of trains/buses for onward travel.

I have used this route multiple times. A pleasant route Spring to Autumn but can be rather muddy along the Ebury way in the wetter months. Much better than following the canal towpath for those on bikes but not the best route for those in wheelchairs. It can be rather quiet at times and thus some may find it uncomfortable to walk alone.
Croxley Common is located along the way and can be a pleasant side trip, a slight detour near Rickmansworth will get you to the Aquadrome - both are worth a visit.

I walked from Watford to Rickmansworth.
A short walk from the station to a quiet road and a footpath to a busy road. This busy road is quickly over and you pass by the skate park over a bridge and through a park. One road crossing and you are on the Ebury Way. This was an old rail way so it is a relatively flat and direct path from here to Rickmansworth. Lots of beautiful green, lakes and nature reserves. The path is generally good, tarmac in places and gritted in others, shallow mud and puddles form in winter. Another short section on pavements past the church in Rickmansworth brings you to the High Street. The Tube Station is about 200m away.
A beautiful walk with minimal roadside walking. Good for wheels.

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