St Albans escape – Gaddesden Lane to Bison Hill loop
St Albans escape – Gaddesden Lane to Bison Hill loop
4.2
(12)
50
riders
St Albans escape – Gaddesden Lane to Bison Hill loop
03:21
54.5km
440m
Cycling
Embark on the St Albans escape – Gaddesden Lane to Bison Hill loop, a popular touring cycling route north of St Albans. This moderate ride covers 33.9 miles (54.5 km) with an elevation gain of 1455 feet (443 metres), typically taking about 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete. You…
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
7.41 km
Gaddesden Lane
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Tip by
14.3 km
Charlie's Cafe (closed)
Highlight • Other
Tip by
22.2 km
Little Gaddesden Lodge
Highlight • Castle
Tip by
29.0 km
Bison Hill
Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument
Tip by
54.5 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
38.8 km
7.87 km
5.68 km
1.59 km
555 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
32.9 km
20.6 km
969 m
< 100 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Highest point (230 m)
Lowest point (80 m)
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Today
Wednesday 6 May
16°C
7°C
29 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
This route was planned by komoot.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
Cold, wet and windy! The wind was against me all the way to Ashridge ... really slow progress ... only the thought of venison sausages kept me going! I don't mind admitting that when I got to the cafe, I was rather cold and miserable. I cheered myself up with a hearty venison sausage bap, an iced doughnut and a cup o' tea!! With renewed vigour I began the return journey and decided to deviate from my pre planned route to the fast country lanes between Studham and Redbourne. One of my fav routes due to the fast down hill bends that get the adrenalin pumping. Enjoyable ride by the end 🚴🏼♂️
And just like that it was winter! But what a beautiful sunny day. I went out in shorts. My original plan was a venison burger at the Monument Cafe, but the queue was so big I ploughed on taking calories from the porridge I had for brunch 🚴🏼♂️
Amazing the adventures one has while out on one's trusty steed! Today I returned from the smog to the countryside and the beautiful golden brown colours of autumn/winter. Not long into the ride I was flagged down by a young lady asking for assistance. It transpired that she had found a kestrel nearby and the poor thing had got its wing entangled in some foliage and was trapped akin an insect in a cobweb. With the help of another passer by we put a towel over its eyes to lessen the distress to the bird and also to protect ourselves from a nasty peck with its predatory beak! We put a jacket around it so that we could avoid flapping wings and used a pocket knife to cut the kestrel free. Thus, unentwined, we checked the animal for damage to it's wings and there appeared to be none, so we released it to freedom in a nearby field. Good deed done for the day, I continued on and had lunch at the Monument Cafe. Venison sausages in a bun and a rather soft and scrumptious donut for pudding, washed down with a cup o' hot, strong coffee. Back out on the road, I pumped my way up the seemingly endless and appropriately named Pedlers Hill, where I could feel the benefit of the sugar coursing through my veins! Then through the country lanes and home for a nice cup o' tea! 🚴🏽♂️ Ps. I'm saying kestrel, but I'm no avian expert, so if anyone knows better, please let me know in the comments 😊