Smegre one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Pleasant route - mainly off road, on paths (tarmac and gravel). All the road sections have pavements.
Near the start, the footbridge over a main road (Tollhouse Way), only has steps up and down, so isn't fully accessible.
After 0.8 miles, the route leaves the road by a downhill footpath towards what appears to be a railway, but is actually a tramway. Cross the line with care, and the map is then slightly confusing (I went wrong!). The correct route continues a short distance on the footpath alongside (to the left) of the tramway. A colourful painted NCN signpost (for cycle route 5) can be seen on a path to the left, which is where the route continues, on the cycle path, passing under the M5 via a tunnel, and then the rejoining roads.
The route leaves Europa Way, going into Sandwell Valley Country Park for a couple of miles. The M5 is crossed again - this time via a bridge. The path runs through a wooded area, alongside the motorway for a short distance, before Swan Pool comes into view. After walking half way around the lake, the path veers away from it, to the left, across a road and then Forge Mill Lake comes into view. The route continues on a shared cycle/walking path, alongside the River Tame.
Emerging from the Country Park, the last mile of the route is back on roads.
I'd recommend this route in daylight hours.

A very enjoyable Slow Ways easy to follow
Leading Into Sandwell Valley and follows the Beacon Way past Swan Pool, then crosses Park Lane past Forge Mill Lake best part of the walk
Plenty of birds to see around the lakes and seats for a break to sit and watch on a good day.

This is another superb Slow Way to come out of Smethwick. Having left the High Street via the footbridge across the main road you wander through the residential streets of north Smethwick which become increasingly industrial before, within sight of the West Brom Ground (the highest above sea level in England) you turn left to join the greenway that runs alongside the Metro (tram) line. You leave this to take the low underpass below the M5 and wander into suburban West Bromwich. It's not long before you reach the edge of Dartmouth Park and Sandwell Valley Farm. Rather than going towards them and into the wood you go right and cross the footbridge over the M5 into Sandwell Valley. This was my favourite section of the walk. It follows the Beacon Way past Swan Pool, then crosses Park Lane past Forge Mill Lake, a bird reserve. The path then crosses the Tame and follows it...or as you will see from the photos, I waded through it! (I have walked this path dozens of times and this was the first time it had flooded) The final section through suburban Great Barr avoids the main road for as long as possible. Crossing Newton Road requires some care but I didn't find it hard. From there it's a short walk to the meeting point at the 5 bus stop. Safe, direct, varied, easy to follow and really enjoyable to walk. Full marks!.

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