The family friendly section is the Nickey Line from Hemel suburbs 4.5 to Harpenden. The surface has been upgraded throughout Hemel (June '23).
At Bulstrode Cross you can ride straight ahead to Felden and Hemel, but L and R on Longcroft Lane is quieter and more interesting. Descend Felden lane carefully to take byway R 2.4 on Upper Roughdown Common. Over M41 and Euston mainline - steeply - (L for Hemel Hempstead) to London Road 3, Grand Union Canal 3.1 and the end of Spoke 10 canal, then L Heath Lane and Cotterells to bypass the town centre. Cross A4145 by pedestrian crossing 3.9, R on Midland Road 4.2, climbing to L the start of the Nickey Line 4.5.
This is the first of the Hertfordshire branch lines. Navigationally straightforward now to Harpenden except through Hemel's industrial zone; watch out for L turn 6 and shortly after the resumption of the offroad track. NCN 57 signage keeps you off-road round Redbourn, where the bypass has captured the railway track bed. The following miles up to and around Harpenden are particularly rewarding. The run ends in a long flight of steps 11.7 up to the road bridge over the Midland main line.
