Rye Meads Discovery
Distance: 6 miles
Terrain: Generally flat with a couple of hills on the road sections using a mixture of surfaced pathways and roads
Starting point: Dobbs Weir car park, Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon Hertfordshire EN11 0AS (height barrier)
Total elevation gain: 108ft
Cycling time*: 36 minutes*
Calories burnt*: around 155 calories*
*Cycling time and calories burnt are calculated using a cycling speed of 10mph and a weight of 10 stone.
Things to note
A ride suited to the more confident cyclist as it involves crossing roads as well as short sections of cycling along narrow roads (B181 – which has no pavement) and a section of toll road which is free to bicycles through The Thames Water Sewage treatment works, but is used by lorries. Unfortunately there are no alternatives routes for these sections.
Glen Faba
Three manmade lakes sit in this wilder, less visited area of the park. The lakes were created as a result of the sand and gravel industry that existed in the Lee Valley. Cattle are used to environmentally graze the eastern side of Glen Faba Lake during the summer months ensuring that, together with other site management operations, it remains a haven for all kinds of wildlife.
Rye Meads Nature Reserve
This wetlands reserve is run by the RSPB and offers fantastic opportunities for spotting a whole host of wetland birds from any of the ten hides which are on site. Entry is free but car parking charges apply.
Rye House Gatehouse
This Grade I listed building is all that remains of a once fantastic fortified, medieval, moated manor house which was one of the first brick built buildings in the country. A vibrant history surrounds the manor house that once stood here, from The Rye House Plot which was an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate King Charles II, through acting as a workhouse for the for poor to being the Victorians ‘go to place’ to take in landscaped gardens, hold banquets or just enjoy the delights of the countryside. The Gatehouse has limited opening hours, but it’s well worth climbing the winding staircase to take in the view over the Lee and Stort Valleys if the building is open.
Rye House Stadium
Where dinosaurs roam and engines roar. Whether you want to watch speedway racing or give go-karting a spin this is the place. You never know you could be the next Lewis Hamilton… well this was the track he started out on!
Dobbs Weir
History and a great open space go in hand in hand at Dobbs Weir. The remains of the old, historically important manual gated weir can still be seen in front of the replacement ‘Auto Weir’. The weir helps to control water levels in the waterways at times of heavy rain protecting locals from flooding. The open spaces adjacent to the River Lee Navigation make a scenic end to a cycle ride which has had water at its heart for the majority of the way.
Toilets
Dobbs Weir car park
Refreshments
Dobbs Weir car park
Alternative starting points
Rye House Gatehouse - EN11 0EH
You can ride these routes on any type of bike but the best ones to use would be either a mountain or hybrid bike.
Please cycle responsibly in the park, for more information check our cyclists code of conduct.