Description
I think this route delivers the best combination of direct and pleasant/off-road between St Albans and Radlett.
It's 2 km shorter than Starad Three, and stays away from the busy A5183 Watling Street (Starad Two). After walking and reviewing Starad Three, I thought there was scope for a more direct, but still very pleasant, route to the west of the A5183, and this is it.
Between St Albans and Smug Oak Lane/Colney Street the route follows the River Ver across meadows and wetlands. It's the same as Starad Three.
Then from Smug Oak Lane it follows the edge of a large meadow/field (the OS footpath is shown going across the field, but on the ground it seems everyone follows the field boundary rather than going across the middle).
Then woodland, fields and tracks to outskirts Radlett, where there is a quiet private road leading to the town centre.
There are some steps, narrow paths, and a small bridge. The Ver meadows towards St Albans may flood in winter.
Refreshments at Park Street. As an added bonus the route passes a hotel just by the M25, which would make a useful stopping point for anyone on a long journey, and of course refreshments may also be found
I think this route delivers the best combination of direct and pleasant/off-road between St Albans and Radlett.
It's 2 km shorter than Starad Three, and stays away from the busy A5183 Watling Street (Starad Two). After walking and reviewing Starad Three, I thought there was scope for a more direct, but still very pleasant, route to the west of the A5183, and this is it.
Between St Albans and Smug Oak Lane/Colney Street the route follows the River Ver across meadows and wetlands. It's the same as Starad Three.
Then from Smug Oak Lane it follows the edge of a large meadow/field (the OS footpath is shown going across the field, but on the ground it seems everyone follows the field boundary rather than going across the middle).
Then woodland, fields and tracks to outskirts Radlett, where there is a quiet private road leading to the town centre.
There are some steps, narrow paths, and a small bridge. The Ver meadows towards St Albans may flood in winter.
Refreshments at Park Street. As an added bonus the route passes a hotel just by the M25, which would make a useful stopping point for anyone on a long journey, and of course refreshments may also be found
Status
This route has been reviewed by 1 person.
There are no issues flagged.
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (1)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 3
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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
| 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 |
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review
Jane Taylor
15 May 2022Walked in two stages, St Albans to Smug Oak Lane; and Radlett to Smug Oak Lane. There’s a bus stop on the A5183 which allows a neat division. 5 star route ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall it is extremely pleasant, much of it off-road. From St Albans the route follows the river Ver across meadows. These were still quite soggy when I went through in March, waterproof boots needed.
At Park Street (refreshments) the landscape changes to a managed wetlands with well maintained paths and benches. A short climb through some woodland leads to the M25 crossing by bridge.
At Smug Oak Lane I took the bridle path to the A5183 and caught the bus.
Two months later I came back to finish reccying this route. From Radlett I took roads (pavements) leading from the station to the start of a private road (Newlands Avenue). It doesn’t have a pavement, but there was only a small amount of calm traffic, and it felt safe and peaceful.
At the end of the road is a footpath leading to fields. This is a very pleasant stretch, with a quiet lane and bridle ways, lots of well-cared-for horses and ponies in the fields alongside.
After some woodland and a rather narrow bridge (or a ditch, I went ditch - photo), there is a large grassy field which I walked around. The OS map shows a public footpath through the middle, but I couldn’t see one!
Then at Smug Oak Lane I said ‘hello!’ to where I had left off in March, and caught the bus from the bus stop on the A5183 again.
I’m really pleased with this route as I think it combines the best of directness and off-road. Some parts by the river may flood in winter, is my only proviso. Thoroughly recommend.
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