Circular Walks in Three Rivers
Around Croxley Common Moor
| Distance Blue Route: | 3.5km (2 miles), approximately 1.5 hours but allow extra time to explore the moor |
|---|---|
| Distance Red Route: | 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. |
Route description
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.
Points of interest
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.
Rights of Way symbols you might see
|
Yellow arrows indicate footpaths for pedestrian use only |
| Blue arrows indicate bridleways for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrian use only |
| Red arrows indicate Byways Open to All Traffic (BOAT) for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians and may be legally used by other wheeled vehicles |
| Black arrows indicate Roads Used as Public Paths (RUPP) for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians and may be legally used by other wheeled vehicles |
Maps
This map is based on Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Hertfordshire County Council 100019606 2004.
The Ordnance Survey mapping included within this web-site is provided by Hertfordshire County Council under licence from the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfill its public function to provide information relating to its activities, services and plans. Persons viewing this mapping should contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice where they wish to license Ordnance survey mapping for their own use.
See the Ordnance Survey site for more information.
