SmethwickBirmingham

Smebir one
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021


Distance

7km/4mi

Ascent

76m

Descent

46m

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Description

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Smethwick and Birmingham.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Smethwick and Birmingham.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 10 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Smebir one

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 10

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (10)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 12

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 3X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Maybe present Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Not present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Not present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Not present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 150.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient East: no data

The steepest uphill gradient West: no data

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Clear (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Present at time of survey Small Pug-sized dog (1)
Present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Present at time of survey Large St. Bernard-sized dog (1)
Present at time of survey Standard pram (1)
Present at time of survey Off-road rugged pram (1)
Maybe present Standard wheelchair (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged wheelchair (1)
Maybe present Standard mobility scooter (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged mobility scooter (1)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Present at time of survey Small Pug-sized dog (1)
Present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Present at time of survey Large St. Bernard-sized dog (1)
Present at time of survey Standard pram (1)
Present at time of survey Off-road rugged pram (1)
Maybe present Standard wheelchair (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged wheelchair (1)
Maybe present Standard mobility scooter (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged mobility scooter (1)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

5.0% of the route is on roads (1)

90.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

100.0% of the route is paved (1)

There is no data on muddiness

5.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

There is no data on long grass

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

3X June 2023 by Lara
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Smethwick
Grid Ref SP0200288710
Lat / Lon 52.49631° / -1.97193°
Easting / Northing 402,002E / 288,710N
What3Words fears.dark.wage
Birmingham
Grid Ref SP0692386533
Lat / Lon 52.47670° / -1.89950°
Easting / Northing 406,923E / 286,533N
What3Words bumps.report.covers

Smebir One's land is

Urban 100.0%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

reviews


Mary Oz

15 Jan 2024 Winter

There’s not a lot to add to the previous 9 reviews. Wonderful canal heritage (dual canal lines built 60 years apart, rope marks on bridges etc), really easy route to follow, surprisingly peaceful, excellent graffiti. It had gone dark by the time I arrived into Birmingham, which was a fun experience, with lovely reflections, that felt quite safe.
I would just add that the plotting is slightly misleading, using OS mapping, starting from Smethwick you need to zigzag down to the north bank of the southerly canal, as shown on my attached map. Obviously not too difficult though!
Fabulous route! I loved it!.


Hiking Historian

30 Oct 2023 Autumn

A good route, which, like most Birmingham routes, uses the canal system to great effect.

From the centre of Smethwick, with its bus stops and shops, we go up, over and down the stepped footbridge that crosses the dual carriageway and railway. Once onto the road beyond, we soon head down a brick slope (can be slippy in wet weather), then steps down to the lower Birmingham Canal.

It is then one long canal walk through a mixture of landscapes; we only cross the one bridge, where the higher branch meets the lower, but essentially we stay on the left-hand towpath all the way on tarmac.

Into Birmingham, we hit a number of locks, before leaving the canal once we're in sight of the BT Tower. We then cut through the city along Newhall Street and Bennett's Hill, and then we arrive at New Street Station.

A very good canal walk, with shops and transport links at both ends. Use of steps does necessitate this route to be foot-only, however.


Lara

13 Jun 2023 Spring

This is a great route following the canal between Birmingham and Smethwick. In the first mile if or so you walk through Birmingham's bustling city centre and then turns into a quieter area where it takes you to the canal path. You pass some of Birmingham's attractions such as the Sealife Centre and Birmingham's iconic Arena. The canal path is well used and quite busy as a commuter route so it was busy with cyclists, runners and walkers which is something to look out for.


Dan Barron

01 Mar 2023 Winter

A really enjoyable route along the canal, we walked as a group from Brum to Smethwick after work, great to have the vast majority of an urban route off road.


Steve Litchfield

01 Oct 2022 Autumn

Completed this walk today from Smethwick heading east into Brum. As others have mentioned, it is a surprisingly nice walk considering the built up surrounds. The majority of the walk along the delightful Birmingham Canal, with it's unique bridges and historic architecture. Thomas Telford's Steward aqueduct is an impressive structure dating from 1828. Depending on your taste, the graffiti may or may not appeal. Personally I think much of it is well presented and brightens the place up.

The trickiest part of the whole walk has to be the footbridge at Smethwick as it is steps only and has no wheeled access. The general walk though is easy throughout, with just the footbridges to navigate. One of the bridges has particularly low sides which I wouldn't want to test out after a heavy drinking session. At just 4 miles long it's easily doable within a couple of hours.


Swebbews

15 Sep 2022 Summer

We started this walk from The Mailbox in Birmingham, so it was entirely along the canal towpath apart from the very last part into Smethwick. It seems unbelievable to be so close to the centre of Britain’s second city while enjoying so much peace and quiet and seeing ducks, geese, moorhens and herons. There is so much to like about this walk.


Saira

08 Aug 2022 Summer

I walked this route on 6.08.22. I don't have much to add to the reviews below. It's a beautiful, interesting route that follows the Birmingham canal all the way to Smethwick! I've walked this route many times on my way to Oldbury, and am sure I will walk it again. Smethwick is a great place place to explore, with a fantastic Punjabi music shop, library and stunning Gurdwara.


David Sanderson

22 Jul 2021 Summer

A really beautiful, relaxing, direct route. I walked this on a 30 degree day from Birmingham to Smethwick. The route takes you to the canal via Newhall Street and the edge of the Jewellery Quarter. I had wondered whether it could have been better to seek a more direct route to the canal, maybe via Gas Street Basin but I realised that in the opposite direction, this route gives you access to the pubs, cafes and shops of Newhall Street, Bennetts Hill, New Street and Temple Street which might be very welcome. Once you have joined the Birmingham Canal, it takes you most of the way. Starting in the regenerated apartments of Ladywood it moves into the post industrial zones and then into countryside reclaimed from former wharves. The canal is very popular with cyclists and dog walkers. Wildlife abounds and I saw herons and cormorants. As the route comes to leave the canal you ascend a series of steps then climb on to a bridge to take you over a railway and dual carriageway to deliver you into Smethwick High Street with its multiple independent shops. Direct, beautiful, offroad. Full marks.


Dave4

22 Jul 2021 Summer

A n unexpectedly scenic route given the urban, industrial areas it traverses. I did this from Birmingham to Smethwick on a very hot day and was surprised to see not only the usual ducks, Canada geese and so forth but a cormorant and a heron. The route is accurately planned, straightforward, easy to follow and very pleasant to walk.


Alison Thompson

22 May 2021 Spring

An interesting and varied walk, particularly enjoyable if you are interested in industrial architecture. The route begins close to Galton Valley Pumping Station, now a heritage centre, though it is only open one Saturday per month so worth checking if you want to include a visit as part of your walk. The first two miles of the walk take you along a quiet, attractive stretch of the canal where you can watch the herons fishing. Grafitti is much in evidence but helps to brighten up some of the more 'grey' sections. As you get closer to the city centre you see more narrow boats and pass a section where the Canal and River Trust have planted a linear orchard, along with extensive planting along the path. Having passed the series of locks you reach the city centre, passing some interesting buildings on the way to the station. An easy walk with plenty to see on route.


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