St Albans escape – Gaddesden Lane to Bison Hill loop

Bike touring routes & trails

St Albans escape – Gaddesden Lane to Bison Hill loop

Moderate

4.2

(15)

riders

St Albans escape – Gaddesden Lane to Bison Hill loop

03:21

54.5km

440m

Cycling

Embark on the St Albans escape – Gaddesden Lane to Bison Hill loop, a popular touring cycling route north of St Albans. This moderate ride covers 33.9 miles (54.5 km) with an elevation gain of 1455 feet (443 metres), typically taking about 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete. You…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

7.41 km

Gaddesden Lane

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Stunning lane leading north from St Albans and towards the Chilterns. Long sections of quiet car free road with some lovely views on both sides.

Tip by

14.3 km

Charlie's Cafe (closed)

Highlight • Other

Now a CyclingUK award-winning cafe! He set up a cafe as something to do when his travelling plans were put on hold due to the lockdown.

Tip by

22.2 km

Little Gaddesden Lodge

Highlight • Castle

A Grade II listed building that looks quite striking when you cycle past

Tip by

29.0 km

Bison Hill

Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument

Nice climb up to Whipsnade Zoo. Tough enough to test the legs, but a good surface and nice views make it really worth while.

Tip by

54.5 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

38.8 km

7.87 km

5.68 km

1.59 km

555 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

32.9 km

20.6 km

969 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (230 m)

Lowest point (80 m)

Weather

Sunday 11 October

17°C

11°C

52 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

September 9, 2024,Monument Cafe

Cold, wet and windy!

The wind was against me all the way to Ashridge ... really slow progress ... only the thought of venison sausages kept me going!

I don't mind admitting that when I got to the cafe, I was rather cold and miserable.

October 27, 2024,Winter Sun

And just like that it was winter! But what a beautiful sunny day. I went out in shorts. My original plan was a venison burger at the Monument Cafe, but the queue was so big I ploughed on taking calories from the porridge I had for brunch 🚴🏼‍♂️

November 9, 2025,A Kestrel for a Knave

Amazing the adventures one has while out on one's trusty steed!
Today I returned from the smog to the countryside and the beautiful golden brown colours of autumn/winter.
Not long into the ride I was flagged down by a young lady asking for assistance.
It transpired that she had found a kestrel nearby and the poor thing had got its …