There are sections of pavement and in some places road walking which requires a bit of care, so definitely not five stars, and for me what saves it from dropping any further than four is the amount of interest on the walk. The path takes you to the footbridge over the M42 (photo 4) and then through a couple of fields before you reach the outskirts of Knowle and some pavement walking. Leaving Knowle you pass by the Parish Church, and then some pavement walking along the Kenilworth Road. There is a small section of road walking (with small verge) at the end before turning left onto another footpath. The route shortly picks up the Kenilworth Road once again for probably the worst bit of road walking of the route along a quarter of a mile stretch with narrow verges (photo 7). I definitely recommend this route and would do it again, it's just a shame there's a few small sections of road walking which require care....

Steve Litchfield

The route, which takes you from the centre, through the suburbs to the countryside follows pavements and footpaths and is very easy to follow. Having passed the Land Rover factory, you leave the main road and follow a very straight footpath almost as far as Bickenhill. This is where the adventure begins, as there appears to be some major road building going on and the footpaths, sometimes diverted, often overgrown, inch around the sites. Links to trains and buses in Solihull and as mentioned, trains, buses, coaches and planes 1km from the NEC node....

David Sanderson

Despite following a road, I found the first section quite quiet, encountering mainly cyclists and dog walkers....

David Sanderson

A bust, just west of Bickenhill. The footpath has been diverted to accommodate a new road. Alternative version to be submitted...

David Sanderson

I know ratings are subjective to the walker and conditions, but I didn't encounter anything which made me consider flagging the route for safety as one previous reviewer has....

Steve Litchfield

This led across several muddy fields; however, it was very scenic and away from the noise of main road (See photo 3). This is a main road with a proper footpath on both sides. After walking along the main road, we came to a War Memorial (See photo 4) which is next to the Wharf Tavern pub. After crossing the canal via a footbridge, we then followed the route by the public footpath signage and stiles which led into fields. After walking a short distance, we came to a gate, however there were cows blocking the entrance to the public footpath (See photo 6). The next public footpath sign was quite difficult to find as its out of sight, down a driveway past some very nice houses (See photo 9). We almost felt like we were trespassing onto private property as the route took us down what looked like a private road (See photo 10). Once on the other side of the motorway, the route took us across several fields using public footpath signposts, turnstiles, and gates....

Judy Light

Overall it's a good route but I have the following comments: (1) if you don't know Kenilworth (I was passing through) then I would definitely take the detour around the Castle....

Andrew Davies

Best to be on right hand side (if walking from Solihull towards Birmingham) for crossing of Warwick Road (pedestrian crossing only on this side) and entrance to the canal. There is a sharp right turn and you take a bridge to go over the canal signposted Typhoo Basin then you come off the canal at the blocked off point, take the bridge over....

Clare Mullin

The were considerable amounts of road walking, with one section on a small verge along a busy road with no footpath, leading me to give this route just three stars. The route then takes you towards another footbridge (photo 9) before arriving at the large footbridge which takes you over the M40 (photo 10). ½ mile of walking along the busy Stratford Road via a footpath which takes you to Box Trees Road. Eventually the route takes you onto a footpath which heads to a footbridge over the M42 (photo 13), and then to another footbridge over the River Blythe (photo 14). The route eventually takes you to the Widney Manor Road, where you walk mainly along roads with the odd alleyway towards Solihull rail station. There are a good amount of steps, footbridges, stiles and gates to negotiate on this route, but I would say by far the riskiest section is the Box Trees Road verge walking mentioned above....

Steve Litchfield

I'm not sure the route is lengthened or any worse for taking a slight detour to get to the canal, my first photo gives the altered route I took. After leaving the retail centre of Birmingham, the route quickly takes on a historic industrial feel as you pass through the back streets of Digbeth to get to the canal, and indeed the first couple of miles of the canal towpath pass next to a lot of old industrial buildings which are adorned with much street art graffiti....

Steve Litchfield

From then on the route is pleasant, through fields, and a walk through someones garden (which is public foot path, but still a surprise). Reaching Berkswell is where this route falls apart a bit, your better off just sticking to the road....

Max

After walking 3.5 miles from Solihull, there is 0.75 miles of dangerous road walking due to narrow, uneven roadside verges and fast traffic....

Olton and District u3a

This is a nice route between Coventry and Solihull, but be aware that HS2 means the path might be blocked and a detour necessary....

Marion Frankland

HS2 an issue outside of Berkswell but you were able to cross the site (see photo 1) at a slightly off route path (see photo 3)....

Swifth

Fazeley Street has been closed from the junction with Moor Street Queensway to New Bartholomew Street for the construction of Curzon Street HS2 terminal, making it inaccessible....

David Sanderson

The route goes from central Birmingham, past the markets, through Digbeth, onto the canal towpath all the way until Olton before pavements and suburban streets until Solihull station....

pddys

As you make your way south through Small Heath and Tyseley the canal becomes quieter. There are numerous links to public transport from the bus routes at Digbeth, Small Heath and Olton and the railway stations at Small Heath, Tyseley, Acocks Green and Olton....

David Sanderson

An enjoyable walk with an interesting mix of environments, Starting in the city centre The route quickly moves from city pavements and amenities to the quite leafy Grand Union Canal through the suburbs of Small Heath Tyseley and Acocks Green before heading off the canal to urban pavements at Olton (each of these named suburbs has a railway station if early exits from the route are needed). At the canal exit point there are some potentially useful cafes and shops. The next section goes for awhile along the quite busy A41(with frequent bus services) but it has wide and safe pavements and safe crossing places....

Dave4

Paths vary from wide pavements to narrow unsurfaced and field paths....

Olton and District u3a

Shortly after Berkswell the route is blocked by HS2 construction work. Access to Park Lane isn't possible....

Slow Ways Darren

There were one or two points where the footpath could get overgrown in summer and muddy in wet weather but I don’t think this will present too much of an issue with the correct clothing and footwear....

ChrisRoberts

The majority of the walk is along the Grand Union Canal although you have to leave the canal and walk along some large roads at the last bit near Solihull....

railrose