Description
This is a Slow Ways route connecting St Albans and Radlett.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
This is a Slow Ways route connecting St Albans and Radlett.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
Status
This route has been reviewed by 4 people.
This route has potentially been flagged (2 times) for reasons relating to access.
Photos for Starad one
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 4
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (2) Maybe (2)
Problems reported - Access (2)
Downloads - 12
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
| Grade 4X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Note | ||
| Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
| Full grading description | |||
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
The narrowest part of the path is 50.0cm (1)
The steepest uphill gradient walking East 20.0% (1)
The steepest uphill gradient walking West 30.0% (1)
The steepest camber gradient across the path 10.0% (1)
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)
Successfully completed
We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.
Recommended by an expert
We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.
Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
20.0% of the route is on roads (1)
20.0% of the route is lit at night (1)
30.0% of the route is paved (1)
There is no data on muddiness
30.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)
10.0% of the route is through long grass (1)
Report a problem with this data
1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
St Albans
Grid Ref
TL1556907084
Lat / Lon
51.75054° / -0.32722°
Easting / Northing
515,569E / 207,084N
What3Words
drew.tender.soil
Radlett
Grid Ref
TQ1641499838
Lat / Lon
51.68525° / -0.31741°
Easting / Northing
516,414E / 199,838N
What3Words
navy.create.port
Starad One's land is
| St Albans | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TL1556907084 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.75054° / -0.32722° |
| Easting / Northing | 515,569E / 207,084N |
| What3Words | drew.tender.soil |
| Radlett | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TQ1641499838 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.68525° / -0.31741° |
| Easting / Northing | 516,414E / 199,838N |
| What3Words | navy.create.port |
| Arable | 8.6% |
| Pasture | 30.5% |
| Urban | 46.4% |
| Woods | 14.5% |
Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018
reviews
Strider
09 Aug 2022I walked from St Albans to Radlett.
I downloaded the wrong Starad so was unaware of the flagged access issues of this route.
But it is navigable.
The OS map and the sign posts are different and/or moved. Both issues are either side of Harper Lane.
Photo 1 shows one signposted diversion past a weak bridge (LH cross)that was fenced off and past the overgrown map route (RH cross) to other signposts through a field.
Photo 2 shows the mapped route on the East side of a fence to a blocked gate (red cross). But there is a new path on the West side of the fence (the red line) Through a kissing gate (arrow) which you can walk along.
If you use these diversions you will not have the trouble I had, and you will have a lovely walk.
There is a variety of scenery from cycle paths, woodland trails, riverside tracks, and residential roads. Lots of interest, I enjoyed it.
Narrow paths and steps make it wheel unfriendly.
Jane Taylor
15 Mar 2022I walked the whole route and it is mostly very pleasant, albeit with some muddy/soggy parts. But there is a complete blockage (blocked by tree) south of Harper Lane, where the path goes by the hospital perimeter. (Photo)
This is the same path the previous reviewer, coming the other way, found blocked at the Harper Lane end, and like them I walked through the new housing estate to get to the rest of the route.
I’m going to put up a new route option for Starad, incorporating the housing estate and some different footpaths, a few other tweaks, so that hopefully these problems can be bypassed, and we have a great workable Starad (though I think mud will be a feature at least some of the year).
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Lwatson
30 Oct 2021I walked this route from St Albans to Radlett. It started off as a lovely walk - the Ver Valley is beautiful. The meadows were muddy, sometimes boggy. After crossing the railway I encountered a few difficulties. Firstly, one footpath was temporarily closed for repairs (Oct 21), and I was unclear which signs to follow afterwards. Secondly, the footpath off Harper Lane was blocked by fencing (reported on pathwatch, Oct 21) which meant a diversion through a new housing estate (which massively increased the amount of road walking). Once out of the housing estate the route continued as a pleasant country path, with some mud and puddles possible.
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Steve Lambert
04 May 2021An excellent route between Radlett station and Sopwell in St. Albans. Maximises the countryside and the River Ver. The route north from Smug Oak Lane over the M25 until Frogmore floods easily but can be by-passed staying to the East of the River Ver going under the M25 near the Premier Inn if necessary.
From Sopwell there are better routes IMHO. Right and the left across the St. Albans golf course to the Alban Way or turning off Cottonmill Lane just prior to Monks Close and getting to the Alban Way across the playing fields. The best route from the Alban Way to St. Albans station is further to the North-East than shown. Go under the railway bridge and turn left up the ramps to Charrington Place. This leads directly to the station.
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