Strnai four

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

This is a very good easy route, well maintained and flat tarmac almost the whole way, as it's a cycle route. It's pleasant under the trees but it wasn't nearly as rural as I expected - there are fences and buildings visible to the side for much of the way. If you want more countryside, you could choose one of the other variants which take you into the fields and up Selsley Hill!.

Last week, my dog Ela and I walked #slowways Strnai four (impressive number of variants!). I agree with the previous reviewer that it's a straightforward, pleasant and pretty flat route between these two towns. It's quiet, being mostly away from roads. Also, great for dog walkers as there's no requirement for dogs to be on leads, unlike the Stroudwater Canal. The path is wide, allowing room for all users. We started in Nailsworth near the public toilets. There are several places in Nailsworth to get food and drink, including some supermarkets. It's less than 1km to the start of the old railway line and straightaway you're walking in a quiet, green tunnel. You'll pass Egypt Mill (now a restaurant) and Dunkirk Mill (with a visitor centre open at certain times). As you approach Woodchester, the path takes a turn alongside the main road, the A46, but soon returns to the more secluded wide path. You pass behind Rooksmoor Mills where there is a lot of building going on (mostly apartments I think). Also, Damien Hirst's warehouse - one of his tall pieces can just been seen between the leaves of the trees. You'll approach a lit tunnel and just before it, you will turn right to take a path through a small housing estate and cross a small river. You'll emerge onto a road with a pedestrian crossing and then have to climb some steps to walk along the next section of disused railway line - I think if you were to turn left instead of crossing at the lights, then turn right at the next set of lights and walk up the fairly steep hill, you will find a ramp down onto this section of disused railway line). You'll pass under some great bridges and see some old railway infrastructure. This takes you almost all the way to the railway station. The final section descends from the old railway line onto the A46, turn downhill and you will pass Kwikfit and a picture framers on your right, also cross a small river. Then through the underpass and climb the hill on the other side, crossing the Stroudwater Canal. At the mini roundabout, you could take a right and walk up the hill where you'll find the railway station on your left (there is a footbridge over the tracks to reach the ticket office and platform 1). The route however tells you to continue past the mini roundabout, under the railway bridge and take the first right, and then right again to approach the railway station from the ticket office side. All in all, an excellent choice of route!.

I really enjoyed walking this route. I had a call the whole way. With the vast majority of the route off-road and easy to navigate, I was able to enjoy being in the conversation without having to find my way. It was great being beside the river and under the trees.

The route has one flight of steps at Dudbridge Road, otherwise it would be free of barriers. Someone local may be able to advise on a way around those if you need to avoid them.

I'd 100% walk this route again.

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