The low point of the route for me was the walk along the roads from the start up to Barr Common, but after that I thought it was a great route. Perhaps walking it during Storm Bert wasn't the best decision i'd ever made as there were some sections which were flooded giving wet feet (photos 6, 10 and 13)....

Steve Litchfield

Steps down from the canal onto Bentley Mill Way, and then along Kendricks Road and across the Flatts which was pretty muddy when I did the walk....

Steve Litchfield

The access down onto the canal (photo 5) is not stepped, and a little steep which could be slippy in the wet. The canal was quiet when we did the walk. After Birchills Junction the route joins the Walsall canal for a short while before leaving it just after the interesting Boatman's Rest building....

Steve Litchfield

Starting from Walsall you go through the enjoyable Arboretum which was very muddy at my time of walking so i had to take the path to the South joining the canal path before reaching the Beacon Way at Rushall locks....

Nigel Cull

A very direct route and easy to follow along mostly pavements plus grass verge. Leaving Walsall crossing just below the top of Barr Beacon with lovey views before arriving into Streetly. Another good Slowways....

Nigel Cull

The first can be described as getting to Bescot stadium, the middle section as negotiating the Motorway, the railway and the River Tame, and then finally suburbia on the route into Stone Cross....

Steve Litchfield

You start in Walsall town centre through quiet residential streets then crossing into Walsall arboretum joining the Rushall Canal for a nice long tow path route passing locks....

Nigel Cull

The first third could be described as the route to the canal, and I was pleased that quite quickly the route left the urban centre of Walsall (photo 1) to reach the arboretum (photo 2). There are no gates, stiles or major obstacles en route, and felt nice walking in this direction, leaving Walsall behind, walking down the flight of locks with nice views ahead, and into the leafy suburb of Great Barr....

Steve Litchfield

A great route which benefits hugely from the excellent Robin Hood free house pub, and a good section of quiet canal towpath walking. As previously mentioned, there are shallow steps down to the canal but apart from that would be step free and accessible to most. Can certainly be recommended....

Steve Litchfield

Another cracking Slow Way, pavements and a good dose of excellent canal towpath ending at Walsall basin and a walk along the main shopping street. I continued my tour of four Slow Ways from Willenhall and was eager to get onto the canal instead of street walking, the approach is fine with pavements, safe road crossing and made even better by the surprise of the Black Country Ale House, no I hadn't read David's review....

Ken

There are steps up to Fryers Road and avoidable steps on the railway bridge. From Walsall, we head for the canal basin and follow the south bank round to Moat Road, where an old canal bridge offers access to the west bank of the canal to Bloxwich....

Hugh Hudson

Once on the canal the rest of the walk is easy and pleasant (at one point I passed a tame heron which flew past and settled about 10 feet behind me), on a tarmac path that leads us directly to the Walsall Basin....

Hugh Hudson

Out the back of the Arboretum, you join a long stretch of canal, then a path through a field, a tree-lined path alongside a tiny stream of water and shortly across into Red House Park....

Lindsey Morgan

Once you reach the junction of Wallows Lane and Bescot Road it is more or less a straight road into Wednesbury. Just to point out, when passing under the M6 at Junction 9, there is a small downward ramp on your left which takes you under the M6 and brings you out the other side, this is easier and safer than crossing the road....

Jack Finch

The route is safe and generally easy to follow particularly with the advice given in the reviews for navigating the section around Bescot stadium and sidings. The short section walking beside the M6 just before J9 is somewhat surreal but memorable. Overall a very enjoyable SlowWays route and very much recommended....

Paul McGill

The beginning of the route along the side streets out of Wednesbury and the end of the route along the canal into Walsall are the most pleasant parts with the middle section crossing the motorway being very busy and noisy....

Paul McGill

Although the start of this route from Walsall felt frustratingly like I was heading the wrong direction, it soon transpired that the payoff is that this is actually the most pleasant and relaxing route between Walsall and Bloxwich. Not direct, but not badly indirect and definitely safe, offroad and easy to follow. No stiles or steps...

David Sanderson

Safe, direct, with no steps or stiles although leaving the canal at Fryers is a little steep. Shops, food and transport at either end....

David Sanderson

All routes already had a good review so I concur that they are good or adequate plots. I overshot the path from Bescot stadium because it has no footpath sign, but then it's not on the map as a footpath, it's the pedestrian station approach which has a good surface. The plot is fine but needs care to cross the River Tame, a motorway and two rail lines. A heron stood by the river side so I had to assume the Tame has fish....

Ken

Direct but not off road, well there is an adequate pavement so what is off road walking?...

Ken

I walked Walsall to Aldridge. The meeting place in Walsall looks fine on the map but on the ground neither the train or bus stations are apparent to a first time visitor....

Ken

It is easy to follow with the first section along the canal and then afterwards through residential, light industrial until entering Willenhall....

Paul McGill

Easy to follow route and quickest between Bloxwich and Walsall but uses the main roads. The alternatives follow the canal, are more scenic but slightly longer....

Paul McGill

The route is very easy to follow leaving Walsall from the canal basin and then doubling back slightly to join the Wyrley and Essington canal ascending past several locks and scenic countryside until the outskirts of Bloxwich were you leave the canal to pass an industrial estate, cross the railway and enter a residential area before arriving at Bloxwich high street....

Paul McGill

Care is needed walking along Kendricks Road and crossing Heath Road....

Paul McGill

I have lived in Walsall for nearly 40 years and very much enjoyed the walk which explored parts of the area you would not normally visit....

Paul McGill

This route is very similar to Walald one but modifies the route particularly in Aldridge to more include the town centre. This is a useful addition particularly if you have not visited Aldridge before. The grading will be the same as the original route....

Paul McGill

The route I actually walked is reviewed as Wilwal two...

David Sanderson

Leading from the meeting point by the Asda bus stop, the crossing of the car park is swift to King Street, the main shopping street in Darlaston. The walk along the canal at first, offers views over to Wednesbury and you soon pass under the M6. Having left the canal the walk along Park Street is decidedly less flash but there are options for stops and shops along with direct access to both railway and bus stations....

David Sanderson

Having left the main shopping street, past the New Art Gallery you join the Walsall Canal. As you reach a Sikh temple, you leave the canal and follow the main road. Arrival in Wednesbury doesn't change much until you leave the main road to join a side road....

David Sanderson

I was somewhat disappointed that it completely bypassed stops, shops and bus stops of Aldridge and it lost a mark before it had really got going. There is a section of countryside which is crossed by a series of well maintained, well marked footpaths....

David Sanderson

There is a section of countryside which is crossed by a series of well maintained and well marked footpaths. A direct, and very easy section to follow with a particularly enjoyable part through Walsall Arboretum....

David Sanderson

A thoroughly enjoyable walk along the Walsall Canal is the majority of this route....

David Sanderson

This route is almost identical to Walsstr two except for at the very beginning, having crossed Peel Street you climb up the footpath to the right of St Matthews and then descend to where you would have been had you followed the other, flatter route. The view pictured is unique to this route, otherwise Walsstr Two is a much better option. The plotting of this route leaves a lot to be desired but is irritating rather than misleading....

David Sanderson

There is only a short section without a pavement but the verge is very wide and even. It's pavement all the way from there and the final section takes you through leafy residential streets of Streetly. This route is certainly direct and I found the amount of pavement walking offset by how wide the pavement is, or in some sections, how far it is from the road....

David Sanderson

A superb Slow Way but one I thought could be improved by walking straight across Red House Park rather than looping round Pages Lane. I realise that it's not obvious from the map that an entrance to the park is there but it is. Please read my review for Walgre 3...

David Sanderson

Starting from Great Barr the route soon crosses the magnificent Red House Park and a path through woods leads to road which passes under the M6. The route is mainly by residential pavement as far as Delves Green....

David Sanderson

The only slightly tricky section to follow is near the Bescot Stadium where you have to cross the M6, The River Tame and the railway line! Having crossed the car park as if to go to Bescot Stadium railway station you walk under the M6 and then turn right and follow the footpath. I wonder if there could be a more accessible route which runs via Tame Bridge Parkway but that's for another day....

David Sanderson

Directs you across a bridge which is closed off next to the Bescot Stadium. Please use new version of walk...

David Sanderson

Direct and safe, this is a no nonsense Slow Way that I'd walked in reverse about five years ago when the trains had been cancelled. Not much peace or beauty but it's quick and very easy to follow, that's the trade-off....

David Sanderson

Straightforward route and easy to follow, but it does go via a main road, so it's not particularly suitable for families....

Adlibtraveller