(S/E) To start, step through the narrow metal stile to the right of the entrance to the recycling centre on Venture Way. Walk down the steps and follow the path for 400m.
Caution - The path leads to a mainline railway track. This is an unmanned ‘Stop - Look - Listen’ crossing. Take care crossing the railway line and pass through the gate on the far side.
(1) Turn right and follow the path alongside the River Tone, lined with willow and birch trees. This is a great place to spot kingfishers and herons.
After 900m you pass under the A358. Continue on the main path to a metal gate. You can complete the extra loop or go straight to (2)
For the extra loop : Walk up a slope leading to a footbridge on the left. Cross the footbridge and turn right to continue on the river path. You will pass under another large bridge. Continue along the path and pass a small metal bridge over the Firepool Weir. Cross back over the river using the footbridge a little bit further on. From the bridge, you can see where Walk 3 starts outside Viridor House. Turn right, follow the path past the lock, then follow the blue sign to Bridgwater and Creech St Michael, over a brick footbridge and down to the Children’s Wood information Board. Follow the path alongside the canal, back under a bridge. You’ll see a small orchard to the right (keep to the left hand path here). Eventually, you’ll pass a row of large Cypress trees, continue on the path then under a large metal pipe and bridge. Continue and join up with the waymarker in (2)
(2) Turn right at the metal gate and follow the path round to the right, past a way-marker for the national cycle network. Keep following the canal and pass under a metal bridge. The path here is lined with Field Maples and Hawthorns.
Pass back under the A358. Coots (white beaks) and Moorhens (red beaks) often nest on this stretch of the canal.
(3) Pass under a low, concrete bridge and keep following the canal. Finally, you will pass a large oak, before coming back up onto Venture Way. Turn right and follow the road round to the left and the starting point.(S/E)
