Cole Green Way
| Cole Green Way | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Length | 6 mi (10 km) |
| Location | Hertfordshire, England |
| Trailheads |
Welwyn Garden City 51°47′27″N 0°10′05″W / 51.7908°N 0.1681°W Hertford 51°47′32″N 0°05′10″W / 51.7921°N 0.0861°W |
| Use | Hiking, Running, Cycling, Horseriding |
The Cole Green Way is a rail trail which runs east-west from the eastern edge of Welwyn Garden City to Hertford in Hertfordshire. Part of National Cycle Network Route 61, and the Lea Valley Walk, it runs for more than six miles along the former Hertford, Luton & Dunstable branch line from Welwyn Garden City railway station to Hertford North railway station.
The original line opened on 1 March 1858 and operated passenger traffic until 18 June 1951. It was never a busy branch line, and numbers decreased quickly after the Hertford Loop Line was added to the Great Northern Line from London Kings Cross, which gave faster access to Hertford North railway station. Prior to the Loop opening, trains on this branch terminated at Hertford Cowbridge. It closed completely to goods traffic on 1 August 1962 and the track was lifted shortly afterwards.
The former trackbed has been used as a public footpath since and was refurbished by the local council to provide better facilities, including a public car park at what was Cole Green railway station. The route is largely flat, which makes it popular with walkers, horse riders and cyclists.
At the far end of the car park and associated picnic area, almost hidden in the undergrowth are the remains of buffers, presumably from station sidings.
The woodland associated with the car park and picnic area has a number of items carved from standing wood.
The route forms part of Route 61 of the National Cycle Network.
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Wikipedia