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Around Croxley Common Moor

Blue Route 3.5km (2 miles), approximately 1.5 hours but allow extra time to explore the moor Red Route For a shorter route follow the canal towpath Starting point The walk starts at the top of Mill Lane. This is the small lane that leads down to the moor from the main A412 (Watford-Rickmansworth Road) near Croxley Metropolitan Station.  For further information, ring the Hertfordshire Traveline on 0870 6082608. Finding your way Most paths across Common Moor are not shown on the map or waymarked on the ground. Simply wander over the Moor and re-join the main route at any of the access points onto the Ebury Way. Away from the Moor look out for yellow arrows which waymark the public footpaths. These also waymark some paths that are not part of this route so keep an eye on your map to stay on the right path.

Green Woodpecker

Over open moorland and through ancient woodland this walk gives you the chance to explore the riches of Croxley Common Moor and beyond. To make the most out of the Moor why not wander around the path network criss-crossing the site. You can rejoin the main route at any of the gates or stiles on to the Ebury Way.

Petty Whin, Dyers Greenweed, Betony and Harebell are just a few of the hundreds of types of flower that thrive in this special place.

During the summer months you may come across cattle grazing lazily on the Moor. By eating coarse vegetation they create the conditions that allow a vast array of flowers to flourish. Without the cattle, Common Moor would eventually become covered in scrub woodland and this rich and open landscape would be lost.

Dotted across the moor are hundreds of small humps. These are the workings of the yellow meadow ant and have taken many decades to develop into the network you see. The ants make a tasty meal for green woodpeckers and even if you don't see a woodpecker you are likely to hear the call of these beautiful birds: listen out for their mocking laugh or 'yaffle'.

A short detour off the route takes you through Croxley Hall woods, an area of ancient woodland. Traditional management techniques such as the coppicing of hazel are being used by local volunteers to keep the woods in tip-top condition. Bluebells flourish in the open woodland. If they are not in flower during your visit, why not come back in Springtime and see the woods in their full glory

Other local walks

For information on other walks in the area telephone Three Rivers District Council Leisure Department on 01923 776611. Alternatively, try planning your own walks using an Ordnance Survey Explorer map. Map number 172 shows many local public paths that can be used to discover the countryside on your doorstep.