However, once you get past the airport (photo #5), the route then follows the very easy to walk LVW (photo #2), although there are a few climbs. At East Hyde you cross the river Lea with a bridge (photo #7), after which it's more of a slog along the road (photo #8, #9,#10)....

Derick Rethans

Note that the roads at Ayot Green can flood (Ayot Little Green Lane in particular near where it meets Ayot Green, but I've seen Ayot Green flooded too) so either bring wellies or look for a diversion....

Anthony

Note that the roads at Ayot Green can flood (Ayot Little Green Lane in particular near where it meets Ayot Green, but I've seen Ayot Green flooded too) so either bring wellies or look for a diversion....

Anthony

This felt like a clear, accessible and easy to follow route. The path out of Luton is direct and moves from urban shops to residential quite swiftly before heading on to the path. On the Upper Lea Valley Trail, you have the hum of the road close by and a few trains to spot but the leafy green canopy made me feel quite removed from this....

Jane Stewart

From Markygate you climb up through a residential street (photo #1) and some woods (photo #2) to end up walking through corn fields (photo #3). Just before Flamstead the route goes through a field with horses (photo #5), but they were not paying me any attention. On the most western roundabout, I crossed on the south side (photo #9), and then across the A5183 north (photo #10) to join the River Ver Trail....

Derick Rethans

On the bottom end, just before it gets to the double fence there were access issues, and the path through the field towards Norrington End was blocked by cows....

Derick Rethans

From Harpenden station we follow Station Road into the centre, then take the alleyway left onto Southdown Road, staying on the east side of the green then crossing and taking the path right just before the Crabtree Lane roundabout. We follow East Common alongside the golf course and past a cricket field then turn left where one hole of the golf course is on the east side of the road. Pelican crossings help us across the junction, and we cross the railway and turn left into Lancaster Road, then right onto Battlefield Road, going straight across Sandpit Lane and continuing onto Lemsford Road, taking the second of the two paths that cross the railway....

Hugh Hudson

From Luton station we cross from the station south entrance steps and follow Bute Street, then turn left onto Guildford Street and continue on the right hand side of Church Street to find the pedestrian/cycle underpass under the roundabout. We then turn left onto Park Street to pick up the cycle track that turns left just before the bypass bridge. West Hyde Road is crossed on the level, and just beyond the point where we pass under the Midland Main Line railway, we leave the cycle track to turn right onto Thrales End Lane. We turn left and follow the right hand (west) pavement....

Hugh Hudson

The road out of Harpenden is dull but soon you are on a compacted grit cycle route away from cars and surrounded by greenery. Hills, narrow paths, kissing gates, and steps make it unsuitable for wheels, although the majority is accessible cycle paths....

Strider

Across farmland, then along tracks, picking up the Ver and along rural paths and Nature reserves. Flood also in Verulium Park, with easy detour, the Cathederal is beautiful....

Strider

Good starting and ending locations with good access to onward travel and facilities....

andy_mackay

The heart of this route is along the Nickey Line, which was a rail branch line that ran between Hemel Hempstead and Harpenden and is now a cycle and walking path....

Dave

Lovely park parallel to Hemel shops. Approaching Harpenden you pass through Rothamsted research farm then down through Rothamsted Park (water fountain near the gate)....

Strider

From Harpenden there is a short section along streets, before walking on the common (photo #2), and an through St John's Wood (photo #2). The route then follows a bridle way along a golf course (photo #3) before crossing over the railway, where it makes a sharp turn to continue along some fields (photo #4) and through woods (photo #5) to end up at Sandridge (with pubs)....

Derick Rethans

After a short walk through Welwyn's shopping area (photo #1) and along a slightly busy road, the route takes you to Sherrardspark Wood, which was minimally muddy (photo #2). The route then goes up (photo #12) a little to first cross, and then join Station Road that you follow to the station (photo #13)....

Derick Rethans

The path goes right past Luton Airport Parkway station which I availed of rather than walk the last mile into Luton itself....

Heather S.

A short road section takes you to Granary Lane, a pedestrian path which takes you out of the town then across fields down to the River Lea. I chose the road as the parallel path was very muddy, the road was not too busy and several dog walkers and I managed quite well....

Strider

There was far more green than I expected from this walk by looking at the map, the paths are off set from the road where it looks as it you walk beside them. Clarence Park near St Albans station is closed sun-set to sun-rise, but most of the walk is not lit so it's a daylight walk. Narrow (55cm) entrance to Sandridge churchyard, but you can walk around....

Strider

Some of the sign posting around the Pumpkin Farm also needs improving. Otherwise, a lovely walk through rural pathways and fields....

Dipa Patel

It was unpleasant enough for me to make an alternative option Harsta Four, which is similar between Harpenden and Sandridge, and then follows a quiet green off-road alternative to St Albans through Jersey Farm Woodland Park, so more or less avoiding the B651....

Jane Taylor

I'm marking my own work quite hard here - I took the star off for deviation, and also because St Albans' suburbs are pleasant but go on a bit; this route is 800 metres longer than Harsta Three - but it is so much nicer between Sandridge and St Albans!...

Jane Taylor

Added some photos...

Jane Taylor

It’s a splendid walk, about 90% off road, with a mix of paths, lanes and tracks. The route does a little detour to the pub through the churchyard, if you are not bothered then just walk straight through the churchyard....

Jane Taylor

There is a shady path next to Knot Wood before a gravel path through a golf course (not across the greens, no ball dodging). Across a road and through a gap in the hedge and into fields following the Chiltern Way, although the marked path has wandered, the route given here will guide you accurately....

Strider

Apart from the very start and end, it followed the Nickey Line (an old railway route) which meant it was easy to follow, and generally well-paved and wide....

lwatson

(I passed by the point where Luthar Two turns off, and I agree with the reviewers of that route that it doesn’t look like a particularly safe or pleasant walking option, compared with staying on the Lea Valley Way into Harpenden.). All in all I think this is a good example of how a slow way should be: it uses the best of the available route options to create a direct, safe, and enjoyable route between neighbouring towns....

Jane Taylor

Going through Rothamstead there were very clear navigation boards and interesting information boards about the experiments....

lwatson

I walked the route in March and parts were muddy and there were some large puddles the width of the path....

Kate Ingrams

Far better to have stayed with the Lea Valley walk all the way to Station Rd in Harpenden and then cross the road (at the pelican crossing), turn right and follow the conventional footpath up that road to the Station....

BigDog

It can be very muddy in places (especially between Coleman Green and Symondshyde Farm via Titnol's Wood, where the route chosen is impassible currently due to deep mud....

BigDog

This route between Wheathampsted and Ayot Green is often muddy (due to proximity to the river) and willfully ignores the much more accessible and useable Ayot Greenway a few hundred metres to the north which covers almost the same route between these two....

BigDog

Walked this route both directions - first from Harpenden and then back after a lunch break in Kimpton....

lwatson

A few sections will be very muddy in wet weather and one roadside section along Kimpton Road between Blackmore Way and Beech Way has no real footpath - instead use the permissive way on the other side of the hedge opposite No 80. Note also that footpath has been rerouted around perimeter of Heron's Farm....

BigDog

Much shorter than the other Harpenden to St Albans route (which was in Mike's 50 Least Direct Routes)....

Paul Catterfeld

The luton end of the walk is built up and not as nice as much of the rest of the walk and if you want to use a train for the return leg with a small detour you can stop at Luton Parkway Station avoiding the centre of Luton Town itself....

Jemdaly93

Beware Gorehambury doesn't open until 8:00am, and a short section by the River Ver sometimes floods for a couple of metres....

pastim