Nickey Line Walk 6 - Highfield Hemel Hempstead

A 3 mile rural walk in the environs of Hemel Hempstead, taking in the Nickey Line

• From Gadebridge Lane car park (free), accessed from the Leighton Buzzard Rd, exit to the River Gade, and turn left alongside it
• Cross Gadebridge Lane, and continue with river on R to reach road
• Turn R up pavement to roundabout, and cross Piccotts End Lane
• Turn R and after 20yds ascend steps, and continue up footpath to a T junction
• Turn L, shortly reaching kissing gate, and immediately beyond turn hard R uphill
• Continue, walking through woodland, emerging into a grassy area
• Continue walking in the same line of travel, keeping houses to your R
• .Where the grassy area ends, look for well walked path on the left. 
• Continue walking in the same direction of travel as before, ignoring smaller paths to the left and right
• Where there are forks with a choice of two major paths, take the R  hand one
• One eventually emerges at a road, with a ‘children playing’ road signCross over into Lonsdale, and continue up road until road ends
• Look for a paved path on the R, and keep walking in the same direction as before
• The path accesses Ribblesdale. Walk to the end, and turn R into Wensleydale.
• At main road turn L for 50yds, and cross by traffic island, and walk up Pennine Way for several hundred yards
• Turn R along tarmaced path with metal railings to the L, and the rugby club to your R
• Reach the Nickey Line by a Lost Rail interpretation board, and turn R
• Continue along the Nickey Line for about 1500yds, reaching steps down to Keen’s Field
• Turn R, passing houses on your R, and continue in same direction to reach Adeyfield Rd
• Turn R, pass the Midland Inn, and take next R into East Street
• Where East St bears L, continue straight on into Fensomes Close
• Continue to meet main road, and turn L, passing fire station.
• Abour 100yds down, cross the road into High St
• Just after passing the ‘Ye Olde Town Hall’, turn L into church grounds, passing steepled church on the left
• One reaches a cross path, with bowling green opposite. Turn R and continue past childrens’ playground on left, passing WCs on the R.
• Turn  L to river, cross white bridge, and enter car park