National Cycle Route 61[1] is part of theNational Cycle Network managed by the charitySustrans.[2] It runs for 34 miles from Maidenhead (Berkshire) to Rye House (Hertfordshire) via Uxbridge, Watford, St Albans, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and Hertford in theUnited Kingdom.
National Cycle Route 61 starts from a junction withNational Cycle Route 4 on the southern outskirts of Maidenhead. It follows theJubilee River (a River Thames flood relief channel, passing north of Windsor not far from Eton College.[3] Just north of Eton, the route leaves the river to crossDitton Park and then turns north through Langley. The route then follows country lanes and a section of unsurfaced bridleway before joiningNational Cycle Route 6 on the towpath of theGrand Union Canal atCowley inUxbridge, not far fromBrunel University.
Uxbridge |Rickmansworth |Watford |St Albans
From Uxbridge to St Albans, route 61 shares a common section described in theNational Cycle Route 6 entry. With a few diversions, the route from Uxbridge to Rickmansworth follows the towpath of theGrand Union Canal in theColne Valley. At Rickmansworth it joins theEbury Way, arail trail which runs along a former line of theWatford and Rickmansworth Railway. After centralWatford, the route continues to follow theRiver Colne north westwards leading to an attractive wooded section atBricket Wood. Route 61 then climbs up into the village ofChiswell Green, an unsurfaced section leads to the bridge over theA414, the formerM10 motorway.
Passing through the southern suburbs ofSt Albans the route then reaches a level crossing over the railway, known locally as theAbbey Flyer after the nearbySt Albans Abbey station. Cyclists wishing to visitVerulamium (Roman St Albans) should use the level crossing and follow theSt Albans Green Ring signs to the park and museum. Just after this level crossing, route 61 leavesNational Cycle Route 6. The centre of St Albans can be reached by following route 6 north from here.
St Albans |Hatfield |Welwyn Garden City |Hertford |Ware |Rye House,Hoddesdon
The section of route 61 fromSt Albans toHatfield is known as theAlban Way.[4] It is a former railway line. Just after the route pass the former London Road station, it goes under theMidland Main Line and then reaches a zig-zag cycle route up the hill toSt Albans City station. AtNast Hyde, Hatfield, a local resident has restored the former station platform sign and provided information about the former railway.
The cycle route then entersHatfield, passing east of the Galleria shopping centre and curving round to joinNational Cycle Route 12 just north ofHatfield station.
The combined routes 12 and 61 then pass over the A414 and pass the hamlet of Mill Green where there is a restored water mill,Mill Green Museum.[5] Just before Twentieth Mile Bridge inWelwyn Garden City, route 61 leaves route 12 to head east. At Great Ganett, route 61 becomes theCole Green Way,[6] mostly following the line of another old railway.
AtHertford, the town is entered at the stadium for Hertford Football Club. Care must be taken when riding through the car park on match days. Central Hertford is particularly attractive and is a good location to stop for refreshments.Hertford Museum is passed and then route 61 crosses theRiver Lea (or Lee as it becomes at this point) at the start of the Hertford Arm of the Lee and Stort Navigation, a canalised river. The section of the route from Hertford to Ware via Hartham Common and alongside the river is very popular with cyclists and walkers.[7] Along this section you will pass the start of theNew River. As the information board by route 61 explains, the New River is not new or a river, it being a man made channel opened in 1613 to carry clean water to centralLondon.
AtWare there is a choice of route either viaWare station or a narrower section of towpath through the town centre. From Ware route 61 is on the towpath of the Lea and Stort Navigation until it reaches its end atRye House. Part ofRye House, one of the earliest brick buildings in the UK, can be visited just north of the river. Here the cycle route makes a junction withNational Cycle Route 1. Turn south to follow theRiver Lee intoLondon or north for the route viaHarlow toChelmsford.