Hitchin Loop

About trip

distance(km): 29.8 climbing(m): 380 difficulty: easy / medium Easy navigation on well draining tracks, and not too technical, make this a good wet ride. The extension and shortcut options also means it makes a good ride for all abilities. There is also a nice section of single track along Oughton river. 1 START. Back to the X-rds by the Greene Man pub (TL 141/271) and go SA on School lane. 0.3km (0.2m) after crossing the A505, keep SA/L on a BW as the rd bears R or see the shortcut. After 0.3km (0.2m) bear R at the fork (134/273), keep SA at a X-tracks after 0.4km (0.25m), through a field, then bearing L around the back of some trees. UH, in the woods to a T-J (124/275) and go R for 0.65km (0.4m) to a junction under elec pylons (122/280). 2 Turn L on the DT, DH for 0.8km (0.5m) then turn L on a BW as the DT turns sharp R (115/276). Keep SA for 1km (0.65m) through the gates to a X-tracks (in a clearing and FP only SA) and turn R (120/267). To a rd and turn L for 0.15km (0.1m) then turn R on West Street (118/264), which becomes a ByW. Follow this (John Bunyan trail) for 1.95km (1.2m) (bearing to the LHS of the woods), DH to some X-tracks (102/268) and turn L, or see extension 1. 3 UH for 1km (0.6m) to a X-tracks and keep SA, back DH towards the houses (Luton). 1km (0.6m) to a X-tracks at the end of field (097/250), turn R on a track going on the RHS of houses. 2.4km (1.5m( to some X-tracks just past the golf clubhouse (086/266) and turn R (after Tee no.10), on the Icknield way. 3A Keep SA on the main track for 2.6km (1.6m) to a rd and go SA/L on the rd. 4 After 0.5km (0.3m) keep SA, back onto the Icknield way path, as the rd bears sharp L (109/282). Keep SA on the Icknield way for 3.2km (2m) (L at a fork after 0.8km/0.5m by the Telegraph hill sign) to a rd (132/300). Turn R on the rd for 0.25km (0.15m) then L on a BW (134/301). Keep SA on this for 2km (1.25m) to Pirton village (145/ 314) and go SA on the (Crab tree lane) rd opposite. 5 Past Motte & Bailey pub to a T-J (High St) opposite the Fox pub and go R (147/317). 0.15km (0.1m) to a T-J and go SA through a gate on Icknield way BW. After 1.85km (1.15m) bear R (167/314), staying on good track (Hitchin 1.6km/1m), to a grass triangle, and bear R then L through a white gate, or see extension 2. Keep SA, over the river then immediately R on a BW by the river (171/307). 6 Nice ST for about 1.6km (1m), by the end of the woods bear R then L (SA) to a rd (158/297). Turn L on the rd for 0.55km (0.35m) to a X-rds and go SA on Wibbly Wobbly lane. 1km (0.6m) to a dual carriageway (165/284) and go SA on a ByW opposite, SA for 0.5km (0.3m) to a X-rds. 7 Go SA, for another 0.4km (0.25m) to another X-tracks, turn R on a R.O.W. (166/275), under the electricity pylons and keep SA for 1.6km (1m) (become a good track). To a fork and bear R, emerging by the Red Lion pub (146/266). Turn R (on the High street), then shortly L on Salisbury lane then R on Clarion Close, back to the car park (143/267).