The Alban Way - St Albans to Hatfield
2026-02-10
Total Distance: 10km
Difficulty: Easy
Getting There: Train to St Albans
A very easy and flat walk from St Albans to Hatfield. The route is along an old train line (very similar to the Nickey Line) which we have done before.
We had some breakfast at the Waterend Barn (the local Wetherspoons) then headed down to the Watercress Wildlife Association. Unfortuantely, this part is the higlight of the walk and isn't really on the walk at all - it's just the start and you can check it out any old time you're going to St Albans.
Some snowdrops outside the Watercress Wildlife Association.
From the Watercress wetland, you're basically on the trail already, just 2 mins up the path.
The Alban Way itself... there's just not much to say. It's still next door to residential, then industrial areas so there isn't a whole lot interesting to see. Also because it's so close to civilisation, there isn't too much in terms of wildlife etc. We did see some tits, a wagtail, and a rabbit... it was something I guess. You can also hear a motorway for the last 50% of the walk as you approach Hatfield.
You do go past a fair few boards with some historical information, a couple bridges, and some old train stops, the last of which is lovingly cared for. They are of small interest.
About 75% through, you can take a small detour across a grass field to The Plough Sleapshyde which is worth checking out.
After that detour, you head back onto the same line and you head into Hatfield. Unfortunately there just isn't much to see there - at least that we could find. You arrive on the outskirts and are greeted with a great fuck-off mall and roads on roads on highways.
We were going to walk a bit further into South Hatfield to the Hatfield Tap, but decided just to get a bus back into St Albans as there's so so much more interesting pubs etc to see there. We completely mis-timed the bus with school ending so the bus ride was a bit pooze too.
Overall Comments
Not good, interesteing, challenging, nothing interesting about the destination, nothing overly pleasant to look at, and minimal bird life. Wouldn't recommend and wouldn't do again. If you're in the area and looking for a walk The Nickey Line is strongly strongly recommended over this one.