I started from Melksham having got there from Bradford on Avon by the 69 bus. The path from Semington Road to Berryfield Lane was partially overgrown with brambles. More toilets in the station car park and cafes in Bradford centre....

JohnMyerson

Mostly level path along the canal, short dip to go under and back up over the Avoncliff aqueduct, and steps at bath. The path is almost entirely traffic free, there were one or two industrial vehicles on the path at Bradford on Avon, and quite a few cyclists commuting at the Bath end....

Tristan

As other reviewers have mentioned, almost all this walk is along a canal path. As a visitor from the US, this was quite novel and enjoyable! This walk was done on a Friday under slightly grey/drizzly conditions, but the path was well-maintained, flat, and easy to travel. The only part that required some caution in wet conditions was in Bath, near the start, where a walker must descend a stone-paved path to reach the canal. In addition to being a very beautiful walk full of lush foliage and native flowering plants, there were opportunities for food/drink/restrooms every few miles. An added bonus was finding an operational swing bridge, a manual-powered draw bridge, and aqueducts. :-) A walk well worth tired feet! While I'm not a cyclist, the route looks ideal for a bike, and several people passed by during my journey....

Laura Zurowski

It is flat, easy to follow and could be done by some forms of wheeled transport (although the path is narrow in places)....

Steven Melia

This route was very easy to follow and apart from one bridge over the canal completely flat and concrete and navigable on wheels. The scenery was very pretty for most of the route as it is alongside the Kennet and Avon canal, although the day we did it it was tipping down with rain so we didn't linger anywhere....

Anna

A lovely and easily navigable walk, paralleling the canal for the majority of it which was lovely and gave us plenty to look at and talk about. Good distance, made even better by the train making the walk accessible and fun. Definitely recommend....

Izzy Plummer

An easy to navigate route along the railway path and canal tow path. Easy to walk due to the train and buses running between the two towns. Good surface in bad weather....

Stephanie Wetherell

It’s true that there is no direct access at the end of the footbridge onto the riverside path, however a short walk along the main road, without crossing it, gives access to the canal towpath as it branches off the river at a lock. We continued a short way along the towpath and under Rossiter Road and St Andrew’s Place, emerging onto the road with a short walk around the corner onto Widcombe Hill. There were a couple of minor roads to cross before the main steep descent through a field, where we got our first view directly along the aqueduct. Immediately after crossing Avoncliff Aqueduct we had to go down under the aqueduct to cross to the towpath which was now on the other side. There is a visitor centre and café (with toilets) about half a kilometre off the route, following the Somerset Coal Canal branch from Dundas Aqueduct....

Mary Oz

A variation at the start: when I'm in Bath I usually pick up the canal by going over Pulteney Bridge, up Great Pulteney Street and then through Sydney Gardens....

James Cole

Frobra one is possibly dangerous, in having to cross the A361, and Frobra two is currently impossible...

Brian

The roads are in the main quiet village roads, but you do have to cross the A36 as you leave Beckington. I didn’t give it 5*s because of the steps which might mean access issues for some walkers and the need to cross over the A36 and climb over the crash barrier to pick up the footpath which might be an access issue and can be challenging at busy times....

Anna-Marie Bartlett

Great walk, easy route to follow. Some hills and styles but lovely views as well. Muddy in parts at this time of year....

Juliet Morgan

The routes to the east of the B3090, have to cross the very busy A361, whereas this route to the west of the B3090 is slightly longer, is both far safer, and significantly more attractive...

Brian

A tweak to FroBra three, which cuts out a challenging section behind the Creamery, and some difficult stiles....

Brian

I found the section from Oldford behind the Creamery factory challenging in summer, it was heavily overgrown with brambles, and I kept falling in the dry ditch ( full of water in winter )....

Brian

The shortest route between these two places is as Frotro one, ie along the pavement adjacent to the road as far as Oldford, whilst not the most scenic, it is the shortest at about 3.50 mi....

Brian

Whilst still recovering from invasive treatment for Plantar Fasciitis, I managed to walk a series of routes between Beckington and Frome, and whilst on paper it looks ok, in reality the fp between Berkley Lane, and Whitechapel Lane, doesn't exist....

Brian

At the start in Bath the map is slightly misleading as it's not possible to access the footpath alongside the river - the best route is to cross the footbridge over the river, then cross the two main roads using the pedestrian crossings , then turn left to walk along Widcombe High St (several cafes and pub) and on up to Widcombe Hill....

Richard Craft

As with BatBra1 at the start from Bath it's better to go over the footbridge, across the two main roads using the pedestrian crossings then turn left through Widcombe High St and join the bottom of Widcombe Hill at the double mini roundabout. It is not suitable for wheels....

Richard Craft

Once of of the town the walk improved until we got to The Pines Residential Site were the foot path was blocked between the site and Whitechapel Lane. and made it un walkable spoke to a resident at Whitechapel Lane who said the path had been blocked for the last 20 years. After this the walk was enjoyable and was easy to follow....

Pete

I walked this route today and it was just as good as I imagined. Crossing the A36 was the least pleasant part of the route (and the reason I've only given this 4 stars...) but I only had to wait probably less than a minute. There is another steep set of steps to descend from the castle to the valley, but then the walk along the valley towards Iford Manor is really lovely. The climb up Iford Hill was not too bad, and the route through the housing estate at Westwood was obvious....

panifex

I walked this today from Bath to Bradford-on-Avon. Unsurprisingly, given that I created it as my preferred route, I thought it was fantastic. Yes, the climb out of Bath is quite steep, and the descent to Dundas Aquaduct even steeper, but once that is out of the way it has all the benefits of the other routes along the canal - while being considerably shorter and more direct....

panifex

I think this is a great way to get between Bradford-on-Avon and Trowbridge - avoiding the uncertain footpaths while not adding much to the length....

panifex

I agree with all the other reviewers - this is a very pleasant walk along the canal that takes sensible routes in and out of Bradford-on-Avon and Trowbridge....

panifex

At the end it's possible to walk through the Shires shopping centre (toilets just inside on left) next to ASDA to get to the town centre....

JohnMyerson

There is the Angelfish Cafe just off the Brassknocker Basin, and also the Hartley Farm Shop and Cafe just off route ( 200 metres ) close to end of middle third....

Brian

This route is not suitable for people in pushchairs/wheelchairs, or mobility scooters, as there is a set of 15 steps 1 mile into the route from Bath. Hence why only 1 star. The route is perfectly suitable for able bodied walkers...

Brian

Having compiled, and walked the route, I can confirm that it is suitable for individuals in wheelchairs/pushchairs or on mobility scooters....

Brian

The section through Widbrook Wood is heavily foot trafficked and is muddy in winter.There is a shorter alternative, reducing the route by 0.4 mi, after crossing canal bridge 168 instead of turning right, continue straight on to Canal Rd, adjacent Lidl store, and turning right down Seymour Road. If walkers would prefer to avoid climbing the 48 steps up St Margarets Steps in BOA, you can continue along Bridge St, to just past the railway line, then bear right uphill meeting the route back at ST 83210 60439...

Brian

This route is 4.20 mi long, and is a suitable route for mobility scooter, and pushchair users., as it is 100 % paved, with no stiles or gates. It can be reduced by a further 0.40 mi, by walking down Brick Lane, and then Seymour Rd in Trowbridge...

Brian

The walk along the water ways are nice (river and canal) but once you come off the canal after the railway bridge, it starts getting 'grim' as you approach the derelict site by the railway. Not the nicest introduction to Trowbridge. When they redevelop the site it'll be better...

Jeremy Wire

Pleasant walk through Trowbridge town on footpaths then tarmac footpath along rail line before joining canal towpath for most of the walk....

Iang299

There is a nice pub with magnificent views (and toilets) in Avoncliff...

Cata

Mainly level, easy route principally on the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath. Surface generally OK but, in places, can be very puddly after rain....

Richard Craft

The entire canal section is part of the Outer Wheel of the Bradford on Avon Walking Wheel: https://walkbradfordonavon.org/boa-walking-wheel; photo 4 shows the green waymarker of the Outer Wheel....

Richard Craft

A good level walk half of which is in countryside on the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath. Just one potential obstruction where a large wheelchair might struggle and a double buggy won't get through. The surface is mainly good, a bit puddly on the towpath when wet....

Carol Craft

This is a shorter route than BraTro1 but is more of a summer route as the ground across the fields and through woods can become very wet and muddy. There is also a gentle slope near the start as you leave Bradford on Avon, then another one about 500 metres after this, followed by steps up to the canal further on. It would be unsuitable for wheelchairs because of the steps....

Carol Craft

A great summer alternative to Bratro1 but not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies through the fields and woods as there is a tricky set of sets to climb....

Richard Craft

This is a very good shortcut walk between Bath and Bradford on Avon which goes over two hills so you'll need some extra energy (particularly the bit between Dundas Aqueduct and Claverton Down if you are going towards Bath)! It's 6 miles compared to 9+ miles if you follow the equally picturesque Batbra two route that follows the canal....

eberlin

- there is one section about a mile or so long which is very difficult and uncomfortable to walk because of unmarked stiles, stiles obscured by thick growth and sections of footpath heavily overgrown....

Richard Craft

This route is significantly longer than Batbra one, as it follows the canal, and whilst originally compiled as a route to suit individuals with mobility issues, and wheelchair / pushchair/mobility scooters, this is not applicable, as 1 mi in, there is a set of 15 steps up to Georges Place. I have compiled / walked / surveyed and reviewed Batbra three which is wheelchair friendly. Other than that Batbra two is fine...

Brian

This route avoids public footpaths with stiles from Whaddon to Berryfields, by extending the canal towpath section to Semington, followed by quiet old A350 into Melksham, which is Wheelchair / Pushchair friendly....

Brian

Route includes a hazardous crossing of the A350...

Brian

A route largely the same as Bramel one, but removing the hazardous crossing of the A350...

Brian

My wife is very nervous of cows and bullocks so we had to divert from the route on 3 occasions to avoid fields they were in, eventually giving up and taking an alternative route into Bradford upon Avon....

Jon Allman

A very direct, hilly route between these two historic towns....

HughWilliamson