A walk with fine views over Bath. Then a taste of 19th Century transport following the Somerset and Dorset disused railway through two tunnels, with information about the railway's history. Later picking up the Kennet and Avon Canal for the return journey to Bath.
Calculated time: 5h25[?] 
Distance : 16.7km
Vertical gain : 235m
Vertical drop : 230m
Highest point : 160m
Lowest point : 21m 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Cotswolds 
Location : Bath and North East Somerset
Starting point : N 51.377561° / W 2.356469° 
(D/A) Starting from Bath Spa Railway Station, go through the tunnel to the side away from City centre. Cross the bridge over the River Avon. Look to the left to see where the Kennet and Avon Canal comes into the Avon. Soon reach a traffic light over two busy roads. Cross here and take Lyncombe Hill, the road heading uphill. Turn right onto Calton Road, then immediately start ascending the path you see on your left.this is steep and mostly uses steps. Keep going to the very top reaching Alexandra Park. Enjoy views over Bath as you get your breath back.
(1) From lookout point continue around the hilltop anti-clockwise, right with your back to Bath. About 1/4 of way round turn onto Shakespeare Avenue which descends the hill. At the bottom turn left onto a busy main road. Very soon take a road forking right. Soon you will see a park on your right.go through the park to the far corner diagonally.
(2) Go through a gate taking you to the Two Tunnels Greenway, i.e Somerset and Dorset railway track. This is a cycle and pedestrian route. Turn left onto it and keep walking through the two tunnels. They are dimly lit so you can see where you are going.
(3) When you come out of the 2nd tunnel you cross a viaduct. Straight after going through a gate on your left and descend to Tucking Mill reservoir. Follow the path out onto a lane. Turn left. Follow the Lane to Monkton Combe.
(4) See a church on your right, and go through the churchyard. Look out for Harry Patch's grave. Out the far side of the churchyard follow the village street past a pub and a private school on your right. Take the footpath which goes right and downhill between school buildings. Follow the path bearing left steeply to a lane. Cross the lane and turn left on the footpath which drops down to run alongside school playing fields. This goes under the A36 viaduct. Cross the B3108 and go left a few paces then into the entrance and car park for the short arm of the Somerset Coal Canal the by a cafe and boatyard. Proceed along the canal and shortly reach The Kennet and Avon Canal.
(5) Dundas Aquaduct__ is on your right. Once you have looked at this cross over where the Somerset Coal Canal joins the Kennet & Avon Canal. Turn right then right over a bridge over the K & A Canal. Follow the towpath on its right side all the way back to Bath. In Bath pass through Sydney Gardens and under A36 Sydney Road still on the canal towpath. The towpath crosses the canal in front of Cleveland House and continues on the left side. At next bridge cross the canal again and descend the flight of steps by Tesco Express store. Continue on right side of canal past locks to the main road. Cross the road. Take the path to the left of the canal under A36.
(6) Where the canal reaches the Avon, you need to look out for a path up to the road, and continue in the same direction. Soon you can take the footbridge back to Bath Spa Railway Station.(D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 21m - Bath Spa Station
1 : km 0.49 - alt. 110m - Alexandra Park Viewpoint over Bath
2 : km 1.68 - alt. 61m - Somerset and Dorset Railway track
3 : km 4.88 - alt. 56m - Viaduct and Tucking Mill
4 : km 5.86 - alt. 64m - Monkton Combe
5 : km 7.63 - alt. 35m - Dundas Aqueduct on Kennet & Avon Canal
6 : km 16.52 - alt. 22m - Kennet & Avon Canal joining River Avon
D/A : km 16.7 - alt. 21m - Bath Spa Station
There are pubs at Monkton Combe and Bathampton, and a cafe on the Somerset Coal Canal.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
There are information boards about the history of the railway and canal.
Harry Patch Grave in Monkton Combe. He was the last combat soldier of WW1 from any country reaching the age of 111 in 2009.
8.8km
+124m
-124m
2h50
Easy
Starting point in Southstoke - Bath and North East Somerset A Somerset walk in the northern part of the county. The undulating route explores the hills and valleys to the south of Southstoke using field paths, the course of an old railway and tracks.
17.89km
+116m
-111m
5h25
Average
Starting point in Keynsham - South Gloucestershire This linear Somerset walk includes typical English countryside, quiet villages, old buildings and historic churches. The route runs from Keynsham to Bath along the northern fringes of the Mendip Hills, and its proximity to both Bath and Bristol ensures that it is well served by public transport.
9.06km
+54m
-63m
2h45
Easy
Starting point in Litton - Bath and North East Somerset This Somerset walk takes you through unspoilt countryside sheletered beneath the slopes of the Mendip Hills. The route includes tracks, footpaths and quiet country lanes.
10.28km
+143m
-145m
3h20
Average
Starting point in Hillesley and Tresham - Gloucestershire This is a circular walk starting in the Cotswold village of Hillesley. The route takes you up the Cotswold escarpment, over fields, through quiet lanes and valleys, to the villages of Alderly and Wortley, before returning to Hillesley. The Cotswold's are a range of hills that rise from the Severn Valley. The “Wolds”, or rolling hills, is an AONB in the west country of the UK. Here the past is evident in the many honey coloured stone villages and farms.
12.47km
+84m
-87m
3h50
Average
Starting point in Hillesley and Tresham - Gloucestershire This circular walk set in the southern end of the English Cotswold, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The walk is a mixture of open fields, quiet country lanes, with one section of the walk using pathways within the National Arboretum at Westonbirt. The walk passes through two Cotswold villages : Tresham and Leighterton.
8.19km
+36m
-36m
2h25
Easy
Starting point in Oldbury-upon-Severn - South Gloucestershire An easy Gloucestershire walk that takes you along the Severn Estuary. The walk uses paths and lanes including sections of the Severn Way and Jubliee Way.
9.78km
+216m
-217m
3h25
Easy
Starting point in Chepstow - Monmouthshire Follow the path above limestone cliffs where peregrines nest, to the lost medieval village of Lancaut and the ruins of St James’ church.
13.82km
+420m
-415m
5h10
Average
Starting point in Chepstow - Monmouthshire Follow in the footsteps of the Wye Tourists and discover the picturesque viewpoints of Piercefield Park. These walks take you across the Piercefield Estate, retracing the paths laid out in the 1750s by Valentine Morris, the owner of Piercefield.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
