Winkey one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Winkey here.

This Slow Way has plenty of huge views as it climbs from either end to traverse the high ridge lying between the southern bounds of Bristol and the Chew Valley. A lot of the walking is consequently great, and I will describe the way more fully below, but I will get my moans out of the way first.

For me, it was frustrating that the route runs into the suburban edge of Bristol at Whitchurch when there is such lovely country to the south but I agree that it is the only place to access shops, buses etc along the way. I have explored a bit and it is also difficult to make a decent off-road alternative route of equivalent distance and not end up climbing/descending more hills.

There is also a potential downer on part of the way as the very quiet minor road along the ridge between East Dundry and Whitchurch is a magnet for fly-tippers and burners-out of nicked vehicles. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of it today. Maybe I got lucky and followed a recent clear up, or maybe the battle against the tippers is slowly being won. I hope so.

That all said, this is still a good, direct and generally easily navigable route. Enjoy all the views and expect some long moderate hill climbs plus the more usual countryside access features - stiles, a little cultivated arable, some muddy field corners and small stream crossings - along the way.

Out of Winford there is a steady climb up to Dundry, mostly through pastures, with beautiful views behind into the Chew Valley (this bit is best when walked in the other direction for sure). At some times of day, planes fly regularly overhead on their way into Bristol airport. Then, just when the hill seems to have been gained, there is a bit of a drop back down into Watercress Valley, which has little gravelly streams and some damp ground, and a further climb back up to East Dundry.

From now on the route is predominantly on roads, tracks and bridleways with more great views before a descent into Whitchurch. There is an option to take a little side journey and pop up onto the ancient hill fort at Mae's Knoll along the way.

In Whitchurch, the existing route is Ok but I recommend the quieter, greener and slightly shorter route through if you cut in at w3w gained.banks.making through to income.grabs.orbit using the southernmost of the two parallel minor roads to reach and cross the A37.

The slow way exits Whitchurch via fields belonging to a horse rescue centre. Some of the field corners were boggy and there were horses and donkeys grazing. The path then heads down into another little valley, across a stream and up through woodland on the other side. The path kinks a little left and right to exit the wood and crosses a couple more fields to join a long stony track that leads most of the rest of the way towards Keynsham. The track is rougher and a wet with running water at the descending northern end. A final little valley crossing takes the route to the edge of town, and most of the way in is via a straight, paved footpath.

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