Section 4 of 8, Icknield Way Path
Ickleford to Royston
17.7 miles (28.5 km). About 6 hours, challenging.
Start: TL 182 317. Finish: TL 231 334. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 361 m of climbing and 335 m of descent; highest point 168 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Ickleford.
- Bus stops
- St Katharine's Church, 60 m from the start. Directions TL 182 316The Cricketers PH, 400 m from the start. Directions TL 185 320Turnpike Lane, 640 m from the start. Directions TL 177 313
- Car parks
- Car park (free), 200 m from the start. Directions TL 180 318Car park, 970 m from the start. Directions TL 191 313
Getting back
The section finishes at Royston. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Blackhorse Road, 70 m from the finish. Directions TL 231 335Neville's Court, 150 m from the finish. Directions TL 230 334Blackhorse Road, 150 m from the finish. Directions TL 230 336
Planning the Icknield Way Path
- Planning the whole trail: icknieldwaypath.co.uk.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Icknield Way Path - A Walkers' Guide (Icknield Way Association).
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 31%, earth, rock and mud 16%, grass 15%, gravel and tracks 12%; the rest (26%) isn't recorded.
About 25% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 1 stile, 15 kissing gates, 2 gates, 1 stream crossing, 5 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 35 m in a kilometre (1 in 29), starting 0.7 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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