Winbri one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Winbri here.

This walk is fine at the Winford and Bristol ends but not good between Barrow Common and the River Avon, with too much walking beside main roads and two dangerous road crossings. However it is possible to avoid the bad crossings with nearby alternative routes, so is walkable with slight adjustments. Overall though, in my opinion, there are better ways into Bristol from this side of town.

The route is lovely going over the hill between Winford and Barrow Common with huge views and mostly follows the regularly walked and well signed Monarch’s Way with kissing gate, stile and gate access. I did encounter one large, recently-reseeded arable field on this section which was rather muddy and unlovely this time but have walked this part of the route in the past without difficulty.

The problems start when the route reaches the A38 north of Barrow Common. It suggests you walk beside this busy trunk road for about a kilometre. There is a footway but it unpleasant walking. The decent off-road alternative along the Community Forest Path to the south is much better.

Crossing the busy A38 requires patience to wait for a safe gap but Is just about OK and there are good sight lines. Beyond this I don't advise trying to cross the busy, multiple-laned A4174 bypass road where the route is plotted on the map. Instead take the (signed) permissive path along the west side of the road into the wood and use the underpass where Collier’s Brook goes under the road.

The route is OK from here to the Park and Ride south of the A370 but it is not possible to cross the A370 where the route suggests you do. It is a hectic dual carriageway here. Instead use pedestrian traffic-light crossings and an underpass a little to the east where the complicated road junction is. There is a useable footway along the side of the A370 to get there but it is narrow in places.

After this the route takes an unnecessary walk along the pavement beside the busy A369 to get to the River Avon when there is a slightly quicker off-road route along the Festival Way cycle path instead (signed from the end of the road to Bower Ashton and Ashton Court Park).

The suggested route into the centre of town along the Floating Harbour is great but a longer way around if you are actually aiming for the bus station.

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