The Cole Green Way is a 5 mile route that runs along a disused railway line. The route as shown below starts at Hertford East train station, so you can easily get there by bike. Just be sure to first read my Bikes on Trains post.
The route shown below includes some cycling on (usually) quiet roads. It finishes on the edge of Welwyn Garden City, and it’s possible to ride on (usually) quiet roads to the train station.
Surface
The surface varies from tar, to concrete, to the (majority) segments of self-compacting gravel. Near Hertford the trail recently had been resurfaced, fixing what was often before a very muddy stretch.
Bikes
Practically all bikes can use the route, but trikes, most cargo bikes and similar may struggle.
Toilets
There are toilets at Hertford East train station, at The Black Horse pub and again at Cowpers Arms.
Points of Interest
Consider visiting Hertford Castle.
Routes in Hertfordshire
Barriers
There are some barriers along the routes, and I expect trikes may struggle to get through. However, trikes should be able to access the route from Hertford.
Forecast for Cole Green Way
What the Cole Green Way looks like
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
Interactive map for the Cole Green Way
You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.
And finally…
If this route guide was of use to you, it will be of use to others, too. Don’t keep it secret! Share it with everyone, on social media, in Facebook Groups, on chat forums, and elsewhere.
The barrier at the west end of the route leaving Welwyn Garden City has been replaced with LTN 1/20 compliant well spaced bollards, so trike access is no longer a problem at this end.
The new cycle path (2023) into the centre of Welwyn GC means you can safely cycle right into the town centre off road if you follow the Black Fan Road – Mundells – Bessemer Road – Bridge Road route.