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The Guide

The Guide is divided into 3 sections, describing riding from North to South.

Stotfold - north edge of Stevenage

Stevenage - Ayot Green (near Welwyn Garden City)

Welwyn Garden City - Hadley Wood, London Borough of Barnet

Welwyn Garden City - Hadley Wood, London Borough of Barnet The southern section starts deep in the woods at Sherrardspark, then on and off quiet roads through Welwyn & Hatfield with distractions along the way. South of Welham Green the route runs along the valley beside Mimmshall Brook, crossing the M25 with a fine vistas north of Barnet you at arrive at Hadley Wood.
	Welwyn Garden City - Sherrardspark Wood Crossing back over the A1(M) and the Great North Road B197, the route heads straight into Sherrardspark Wood, soon following the track-bed of the old WGC to Wheathampstead railway line.
	Welwyn Garden City A good stop for shops (John Lewis & The Howard Centre etc), and refreshments. The official route skirts to the left of the town centre down Handside Lane, however take Russelcroft Road (shown on the map) if you want to head into town.
	Cycle ways Some of the route is on quiet back streets, but south of the centre the entire route is off road on good quality shared paths - WGC takes care of its cyclists!
	Cole Green Way If you fancy exploring another side route the Cole Green Way is another great ride to Hertford (another ex-railway route), and then onto Ware along the side of the River Lea. The signed turn off is at the roundabout at the top of Chequers. A map of the Cole Green Way has recently been produced in the same series as this one, contact Pedal Point for a copy
	Chequers / Howlands - missing sign! At the roundabout you need to turn right into the centre of the roundabout, then left in the centre of the roundabout, and once out bear round to right - sounds complicated, but isn't really - look at my sketch map. The first crucial sign post is missing (well it was uprooted and used as a plaything), and other ones have been twisted in an attempt to misdirect you! Hopefully work is in hand to rectify this.
	Mill Green Museum Stop here at the informative local museum, featuring displays of local artifacts & the mill machinery. Just behind the pub is worth a stop if you need a rest.
	The Alban Way, Hatfield to St Albans A little way after you have gone over the dual carriageway A414, you get to this sign on the cycle path - cross the Hertford Road here to continue, or go straight on if you fancy going to The Galleria (shopping centre on the west side of Hatfield), or on to St Albans itself - the route is completely off road, and is again a converted old railway line. A map of The Alban Way has been produced in the same series as this one, contact Pedal Point for a copy
	Old & new Hatfield, Hatfield House Heading south stop here for historic Hatfield House, refreshments in old Hatfield, or local shops in Hatfield itself.
	Stream Woods South Hatfield the route takes you through pleasant woodland with the local feature - swallow holes, where the river literally disappears into a hole in the ground!
	South Way - Cycle Bridge Admire the cycle friendly circular ramp taking you onto the bridge over South Way A1001, cyclists needs are respected in Hatfield - though take care in icy conditions - it can be slippery!
	Welham Green Next stop Welham Green, with the local shops in Dellsome Lane.
	Water End Travelling down now on the quiet Swanland Road parallel with the A1(M) a little way to the west, there are a couple of good pubs here worth a visit.
	Mymmshall Brook Down to Potters bar you are travelling all the time with the Brook on one side, and (thankfully) some distance away, the motorway.
	South Mimms services Better than your average services, and helpfully the route runs alongside.
	Under the M25 Take care getting down into the subway under the motorway, you need to brake and turn at the bottom of the ramp - to avoid going straight on down the steps and into the water! I suggest the less experienced cyclists walks down. In addition sometimes the water level rises to cover the path, and then subsides leaving slippery mud which can be impossible to cycle on safely - take great care!
	Dancers Hill The motorway is soon forgotten, this is looking south with the Greater London boundary over the next hill.
	Ganwick Corner Almost there, with pleasant open country leading down to Hadley Wood.
	Hadley Wood Journeys end, buy a bunch of flowers to celebrate, or retire to the cafe nearby for a well deserved rest!