Easy, 11km a few short climbs, less than an hour for most riders.

Nearly all off road, this is a quick excursion that is easier and more varied than the circular boundary trail. You could ride it on almost any bike, apart from racing bikes.

Route: From the CP entrance go clockwise out onto the boundary trail. Follow this downhill at first and then along the long straight avenue heading east with open fields to your left. At the end turn left, slightly uphill  on the unpaved road. 

When you reach the tarmac turn left. This is a proper country lane, narrow but very quiet, with a short but steepish climb into the village of Steppingley. Here keep left and do not join the main road, instead take “Church End” past the church and past some old house to enter a field.

Keep to the right hand edge of the field, if the trail is soft sand ride on the grass. Care is needed at the end of the path, a busy road and a blind corner. Listen as well as look for traffic. You need to cross here and head right, either on the road or on the verge which is ridable and may be better. 

It’s only a short way to the next left turn onto the sandy farm track past a blocky building (a pumping substation). Once up the little hill it’s a nice ride over to the woods, where a left turn (immediately before the metal kissing gate) joins a smooth gravel track.

At the first trail into the fields, you can switch onto single track along the field edge, and then take the next major trail left into the fields. Turn right at the hedge, ride down to the road. 

Here go almost straight across and wriggle through the housing estate to the road again, using the shared path. At the lights (pedestrian crossing) just before the low bridge cross and take the trail along side the railway line.

This leads to a newly planted small woodland (Froghall Wood), you can follow the bridleway signs or go up to the top corner (gps) both are nice. Follow the edge of the mature wood back to another quite busy road. You can cross and head right uphill on the shared path. Past a farm entrance there is a bridleway, tarmac at first which rejoins the Center Parcs boundary trail.

You now retrace your ‘steps’ to return to the main holiday village entrance.

Pros: The loop around the ‘Parc’ can be a little technical with sand traps, puddles and steep climbs,  this route might be good for anyone who wants to avoid these kind of things.

Cons: You do still have to cross busy roads – three times! Take extra care if you have children with you, particularly just after Steppingley. For a very child friendly ride just head down to Froghall Wood where you can do an easy 2km loop (see second map).

Footnote, Katherine’s walk is named after Katherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII. She was imprisoned in Ampthill castle, which was located in what is now Ampthill park.