Planes Cranes and Tunnels GPX Route

Ride Level: Green - Easy

All Bikes | GPX Route | Natural, Gravel and Single Track | 26 km/16 miles 

Kingfishers under the Heathrow flight path – err yes, and a load more on this surprising ride touring West London’s River Crane. Osterley House, Grand Union Canal, a load of boardwalk, that mysterious tunnel and if your lucky (I was) a flash of iridescent blue of a Kingfisher unperturbed by the 737 flying a few feet above.

Any questions?  have a look at our FAQ's or Contact us 

Ride Description

Catch the train to Twickenham Station, cross the road and enter the local park to meet the River Crane. Head upstream for half a mile before turning right along Marsh Lane to join the Duke of Northumberland’s River, an irrigation canal built in the time of Henry VIII to water the long-lost orchards and market gardens. Very lost as the route follows the channel through the extensive sewage works!

Leave the Channel and, nerd alert, within the next mile you’ll cross 3 generations of the Great West Road…(well I find that interesting) Before the excitement of crossing the most modern version, you’ll have to make do with Osterley House, if you have time, explore this magnificent overwhelmingly bike-friendly park, oh, and the Stable café’s worth a look too!

Leave Osterley, cross Norwood Common and join the Grand Union Canal towpath. (note the entrance is on the right-hand side just after the canal bridge)

Enter Cranford Park to re-join the River Crane as its passes the eastern end of the approach runway, you really are ducking to avoid the planes above but you’re in the middle of wood riding on some great boardwalk. It’s here, if you’re lucky you’ll see a kingfisher.

Follow the Crane through the woods, look out for the spooky Cavalry Tunnel with its achingly cool graffiti at the end of Donkey Wood, this flood relief channel built to protect the now defunct Feltham Marshalling Yards is one of those great hidden gems.

Gradually the park becomes more suburban as you approach Twickenham, gravel gives way to tarmac, however, keep an eye out for the numerous ruined mills, sluices and leats nestling forgotten amongst the football fields and playgrounds.

Start and End Points 

Start/Finish: Ealing Broadway or Brentford

Ride Details 

• Distance: 19 km | 12 miles
• Climb: 120 m | 390 ft 
• Percentage off-road: 87%
• Trail surface: Natural | Gravel | Cycle Paths | Single Track
• Technical Grade: Green  - Easy
• Mudometer - All seasons, well-made gravel paths 

Places to Visit 

4 miles:            Osterley House 

12 ¾  miles:     Cavalry Tunnel  

Places to Eat 

4 miles:            Osterley House 

Is this ride for me? 

An easy flat ride suitable for most riders and families 

Is my bike OK for this ride? 

The route can be completed on any bike fitted with all-terrain tyres