4.5 miles (7km)

The way suddenly leaves urban Luton with a view of Luton Hoo on the side of the valley. Its former occupant lies in a remarkable tomb in the churchyard of the unusual East Hyde Greek Orthodox Church. The route in this section, a former railway line, has a hard surface for cyclists free off stiles and gates and so it is also ideal for pushchairs except for the last few hundred yards where there is an alternative road with a pavement. Soon after leaving East Hyde in Bedfordshire and entering Hertfordshire there its  handy pub by the path at Cold Harbour.

Refreshments
Luton Airport Parkway: Station cafe.
Cold Harbour (near Harpenden): Red Cow; open all day.

Accommodation
Luton: Premier Travel Inn (The Brache), Osborne Road LU1 3HJ (01582 421900). On Walk near southern edge of town in section 2.

East Hyde: Hyde Mill, Lower Luton Road LU2 9PX (01582 712641).

Transport
Luton Airport Parkway: National Rail.
Harpenden: Harpenden Station.

Tourist Information
Harpenden: Harpenden Town Hall, Leyton Road. 01582 768278.

Map
OS Explorer 193 (Luton & Stevenage) and 182 (St Albans & Hatfield).