Cheaus one

Verified Slow Way

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I loved this route! I really enjoy crossing iconic bridges and it was a bit of a thrill for me. I love the extensive views along the Severn estuary towards the new bridge, and being high up above the river. I love the whistling sounds and the slight vibration caused by the wind and the vehicles rushing past, and the magnificent cable support towers of the suspension bridge, and then the extra cable-stayed section over the River Wye too. There was even the smell of the drying sands of the Wye estuary as the tide went out, and patterns left in the sand too. What an exciting feast for the senses!
I walked from Aust to Chepstow, and it was interesting to look back at the cliff on the England side when I was a short way across the bridge, to see the distinct layers in the rock.
After crossing, there was an airy, spacious, traffic-free subway under the M48, with beautiful wall-art. There were several shops between here and the little roundabout at about two-thirds of the way along the route. I was soon walking through some bluebell woods as I reached the section which follows the Wales Coast Path. This was a well-waymarked long-distance footpath, mostly off-road. It was a bit disappointing that thick vegetation and private houses blocked what could have been excellent views down to the Wye here, and of the lovely town of Chepstow, but it was pleasant nonetheless, and it was interesting to see the old Port Wall too.
Yeah, I know crossing that bridge would be horrible in bad weather, and it was truly a relief to reach the quiet of the other side, and I wouldn’t want to do it every day, but as a one-off, it was a real treat!.

I also walked this as part of the old route between Thornbury and Chepstow, now deleted as Aust has been added as a new node. I went in the Aust to Chepstow direction. The crossing of the A403 just out of Aust is not as fearsome as it looks because is an old main road dating back to the days before the Second Severn Crossing was built and far less used now, so safe. The route then picks up the foot/cycle path over the fantastic original 1960s Severn Bridge - a true feat of engineering for its time - and it is an exhilarating crossing in good weather, popular with walkers, runners and cyclists (and on the day I walked it, one rogue moped rider). There are extensive views down the Bristol Channel and over the roiling River Severn. It is very exposed though, so more challenging in wind and rain. The Slow Way then makes its way under the motorway and through a housing estate in the south of Chepstow before picking up the Wales Coast Path, which takes a sometimes steep up-and-down course through woodland and an older part of town to the railway station. Chepstow has pretty good public transport connections. Aust has none whatsoever, but does have a popular pub.

I walked this route as part of the former slowway from Chepstow to Filton. The walk out to the bridge through Chepstow was through steep sided woodland and ver pleasant. The walk across the bridge is perfectly safe although of course is close to if separate from fast moving heavy traffic throughout. Good views though. At Aust ther is a staggered crossing of the busy A403 which is made safer by using the central standing are and so is croossable in two parts. Overall an easy and not too pleasant walk. To be avoided in windy conditions.

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