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Outdoor pursuits

Walks and Trails

Trails, Rides and Walks

Circular Walks
There are 14 waymarked circular walks around some of the most attractive and interesting parts of the county. Most walks are between 2½ and 11 miles long.

Greesand Ridge Walk
This 40 mile walk passes through some of the most attractive parts of Bedfordshire, from Leighton Buzzard in the west to Gamlingay, just over the Cambridgeshire border, in the east. The path can be covered in easy sections.

Icknield Way Path
The Icknield Way Path passes through south Bedfordshire as it follows part of the oldest road in Britain for over 120 miles. Walker and horse rider routes are available.

The Navigator’s Way
The Navigator’s Way is a 7 mile circular walk between Shefford and Stanford, based on the River Ivel Navigation Channel. Leaving Shefford along the Navigation Channel, a thriving commercial waterway in the 19^th century, the walk then passes through the village of Clifton and open farmland, returning to the Navigation at Stanford Lock, a splendid reminder of the history of this now peaceful river. The walk returns to Shefford via Cockshoot Hill which provides one of the best views in the Ivel Valley.

Lea Valley Walk
The Lea Valley Walk starts at the source of the River Lea in Leagrave and follows waymarked routes for 50 miles through Luton to East Hyde, and on through Hertfordshire to the River Thames Bow Locks in London.

Clay Way Walk
A new 11½ mile walk along the West Bedfordshire Clay Ridge, the western boundary of the Marston Vale Community Forest. The route stretches between Bromham Mill in the north and Ridgemont Railway Station in the south. There is varied scenery along the way with some outstanding views over the Marston Vale. Toilets, refreshments and parking are available at Bromham Mill and leaflets will be available from the Mill, local libraries, or the Forest Office on (01525) 767037.

The Skylark Ride
This new route for horse riders has been developed by the Ivel Valley Countryside Project in the east of the county. It consists of a series of circuits ranging from 6 - 20 miles (10 - 32 km), making use of the bridleway network. 80% of the route is off-road and parking is available for horse boxes. For a leaflet describing the route, please send a SAE to IVCP, Biggleswade Library, Chestnut Avenue, Biggleswade, Beds., SG18 0LL.

Stevington Country Walk
This 3 mile stretch of the former Bedford - Northampton railway between Bromham and Stevington has views over the Ouse Valley and links with Stevington Windmill.
Directions : west of Bedford on the Stevington - Bromham road.

Three Shires Way
This long distance bridleway runs for 37 miles from Tathall End in Buckinghamshire, through Bedfordshire, to Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. Riders, walkers and cyclists are all welcome on this route.

Forest Trails
Forest Trails are well-marked circular walks around the Marston Vale Community Forest. A leaflet including a map and information on local points of interest accompanies each trail.

The Kingfisher Way
Launched in 1998 by the Ivel Valley Countryside Project, the Kingfisher Way is Bedfordshire’s first long distance riverside walk. Following the banks of the River Ivel, from its source at Ivel Springs, Baldock, to its confluence with the River Great Ouse at Tempsford, this 21 mile route is an ideal way to discover the rich and varied history and wildlife of the Ivel Valley. The route is divided into 3 sections, between the local railway stations, allowing the route to be tackled as a whole or in stages, with convenient return transport.

Bedford to Sandy Country Way
The Country Way currently exists on former Bedford - Sandy railway between Bedford and the C56 Willington - Great Barford road. It is open to cyclists, users of manual wheelchairs and walkers between Bedford and the C56 and to horse riders between Bedford and Church End, Willington. The Country Way will form part of the Milton Keynes - Bedford - Sandy National Cycle Network route which is being developed by the Marston Vale Community Forest.

Cycling in the Countryside
Bedfordshire is ideal for cycling and a leaflet, produced with assistance from the Cyclists Touring Club, gives details of eight circular routes around some of the county’s most attractive areas, using quiet country roads and off-road cycle paths.

Most of the routes link in with urban areas or country parks.

There are leaflets describing these routes, to order copies please ‘phone (01234) 228914.

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