Leavesden-Chiswell Green "Motorway & Microlights"

Any walk from Abbots Langley or Leavesden to Chiswell Green is going to have to cross motorways. This route goes under the M25, through woodland, then over an M25 junction, on an intricately designed footpath, which returns you to wide open farm land.

At around the half way point the walk passes an active microlight airfield. Returning through farms and open land to the start point.

Crossing motorways, albeit safely, may not be all walkers idea of a quiet stroll, but the construction of the M25 could easily have severed these historical paths for ever (as did the construction of the M1), but instead the footpaths swoop round and over the road. Walkers were not forgotten.


Starting Point
This circular walk starts in Leavesden Country Park, which has plenty of free car parking and is an excellent starting point for walks, as it is well connected to many of the rural footpaths in the area.

Car Parking
Entrance to the car park from College Road, Abbots Langley, WD5 0GT. Check postcode location if using vehicle satnav, postcode covers a wide area and does not clealry identify car park entrance. Local signage "Leavesden Country Park" is good.

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/BEea9dWQR4HXSGE16
Google Street view: https://goo.gl/maps/KUR83JMGgNkTmRw66 (Street view image taken before new "Leavesden Country Park" signage was installed.)
what3words: https://what3words.com/shower.plans.maps
This first car park is accessible 24/7 (just inside the entrance), there is an additional car park further along the access road into the park. You will pass though a yellow gate which is time controlled, clear opening times are posted.

Public Transport
Arriva bus services stop at the car park entrance. Search on their website for services that stop at "Abbots Langley Leavesden Country Park".

Pre or Post Walk Refreshments
At the start of the walk. Katherine Place, 100m left out of the car park entrance on College Road has a Tesco Express, Simmons Bakers, Fish & Chip Shop and a Chinese Restaurant.

North on College Road about 200m is The Swan a Greene King Pub.

In Leavesden Country Park at the far side of the additional parking is the walk is the Woodlands Cafe, adjacent to the cafe is the Community Toilet in the YMCA building.

This is a very rural walk. There are no facilities once you have started, without a significant diversion. Whilst there is some shade, in hot weather take supplies of water and appropriate sun protection.

(Route last walked by the author August 2020.)