Explore

Our partner, Cotswolds National Landscape, has created a range of walking trails for you – including shorter wheel-friendly walks and longer hikes.  They have also produced videos so you can see some of the routes before setting out.  On this page you can watch the video, look at the photos and download a handy trail guide and map.  Discover more about the 20 mile Circuit of Bath Hiking Trail at the bottom of this page.

Walks on this page were accurate as at April 2026, Cotswolds National Landscape website will have updated versions after that.  Please note, that due to the nature of these downloadable documents (map with directions) and the original design, they are not in an accessible format for ereaders.

Lansdown on the Level   A mostly flat figure of eight high on the Cotswold plateau, which can easily be shortened to one loop.  Walk 18 Lansdown on the Level

Sensory Smallcombe  A varied 3.4km route exploring this hidden corner of Bath and encouraging you to tune into all of your senses.  Walk 10 Smallcombe

Charmy Down – Up, Down and Over   An 8 mile circular walk climbing to an atmospheric ex-airfield, then offering stunning ever changing views as you descend before a second climb to the top of the scheduled ancient monument of Little Solsbury Hill.  Walk 7 Charmy Down

One Tunnel from Springfield Park  A 3.5km circular route taking in parks, one of the famous ‘two tunnels’ and incredible views over Bath.  Walk 6 Springfield Park

Royal Victoria Park Highlights   A 2km flat, wheel friendly tour of just some of the special places in Bath’s famous and beautiful park.  Walk 4 Victoria Park

Blue Lines City Centre Circular   A 4km mostly flat circular route around historic central Bath along the blue lines of the River Avon and the peaceful Kennet & Avon canal.  Walk 17 Blue Lines 

West of Bath Circular  A mostly flat 11km route along the River Avon tow path into the city centre.  Walk 5 West of Bath

Weston to Primrose Hill Climb  A short, sharp 2km route to get the heart pumping. Worth it for the brilliant views from Primrose Hill.  Walk 3 Weston to Primrose

Wildlife and Waterways (on wheels)  A 5km route suitable for pushchairs and motorised wheelchairs taking in the green and blue spaces of West Bath.  Walk 1 Wildlife & Waterways

Green Twerton   A 4km varied walk taking in the often overlooked green spots of Twerton.  Walk 11 Green Twerton

South Stoke Circular  A 5km pub-to-pub walk in the beautiful countryside south of Bath. (You can hear about one of the pubs in our podcast episode on community pubs)  Walk 14 South Stoke

Little Solsbury Hill Circular  Starting and finishing on Batheaston High Street this 5km circular route starts with gentle riverside views before climbing up to the top of Little Solsbury Hill.  Walk 9 Little Solsbury Hill

To Bath’s best view!  A short uphill walk to one of the most famous city centre viewpoints in Bath at Alexandra Park.  Walk 12 To Bath’s best view

Monkton Farleigh, a folly and a feat of engineering  A 13km varied circular walk taking in a quaint Cotswold village, farmland and riverside before reaching the Scheduled Ancient Monument of Dundas Aqueduct.  Walk 8 Monkton Farleigh

Light and shade along the Midford Brook  A 6.5km beautiful flat walk through the countryside of south Bath along the babbling Midford Brook.  Walk 13 Light to shade

Bathampton Meadows City to Countryside Meander  This 10km flat loop uses Bath’s canal to navigate out of the city and the green finger of Bathampton Meadows to bring you back again.  Walk 15 City to Countryside

Bathampton Down Loop  Starting with a long steady climb to fantastic views from the top of Bathampton Down this 6km circular walk then returns with an easy amble along the picturesque Kennet & Avon canal.  Walk 16 Bathampton Down Loop

St James Cemetery Loop  A short (just over 1km), flat route in central Bath to an often overlooked hidden gem, suitable for wheels of most types.  Walk 2 St James Cemetery Loop

Victoria Art Gallery and Parks 6km circle  Victoria Art Gallery and Parks

 

Enjoy 20.5 miles of walking around the Bathscape. This walk offers stunning views, history, heritage, countryside and city, including Little Solsbury Hill. A beautiful walk in any season as it takes in river, canal, meadows, woodland and peaceful valleys.  

It can be walked and is waymarked in both directions, but the climbs are slightly easier going clockwise. There are several pubs and cafes along the route. We’ve divided the walk into four sections each suitable for a day’s walk, outlined below.

You can start and finish in several places including Lansdown, Newbridge and Odd Down Park and Rides, Bathampton or the Brassknocker Basin car park at the canal centre (parking charges apply).

The four sections

We’ve divided the walk into four sections – click the links to download the route maps and descriptions.

Walk 1 Lansdown to Batheaston This leg starts with a panorama of the city before heading north for breath-taking views across the  Swainswick Valley to iconic Little Solsbury Hill, which you later ascend, before finishing in the river-side village of Batheaston. Five miles with some good up and downs! Bath circuit Walk 1 

Walk 2 Batheaston to Brassknocker Basin Follow the picturesque Kennet & Avon Canal down to the Scheduled Ancient Monument of Dundas Aqueduct which carries the canal over the River Avon. This is the shortest and the only flat walk.  Bath circuit Walk 2

Walk 3 Brassknocker Basin to Odd Down Starting gently this leg first follows the Midford Brook, and then the disused Somersetshire Coal Canal passing the site of the historic Combe Hay Locks. It then climbs up to rewarding views from the Millennium view point over the Southern Bathscape. Five miles with some flat sections.  Bath circuit Walk 3

Walk 4 Odd Down to Lansdown This is the longest section, however it can easily be split into two by stopping at Newbridge. To Newbridge the route meanders through farmland and woodland before passing through the picture perfect village of Englishcombe. From Newbridge, after a short climb through Newbridge Slopes nature reserve and into Weston it then ascends towards the famous landmark of Beckford’s Tower offering stunning views all the way up. The full length is eight miles, and overall you’ll climb over 1000ft/300m, but it’s always worth it for the view.  Bath circuit Walk 4

Public transport

This route is easily accessible by public transport. It goes very close to the three Park & Rides and buses run frequently from the centre of Bath, a short walk from the train station. There is also a bus stop near the Canal Visitor Centre/Brassknocker Basin Car Park and buses to Batheaston which are other recommended starting points.

Getting there

If you are not using public transport you can drive to one of the points along the route where parking is available. If you are driving from Bristol or the west the best place to start is Newbridge Park & Ride. If you are coming from the North the best option may be Lansdown Park & Ride (Charges now apply at Park & Rides – please check boards). In the south west you can go to Odd Down Park & Ride and in the south east you can head to the Brassknocker Basin car park (charges apply).

Safety information

Remember to pack plenty of water and snacks if you are tackling this route in one go.
Some of the fields do have livestock in them so if you are walking with a dog please put them on a lead whenever you see grazing animals. There are some sections along country roads and lanes. Please be careful and make sure you walk in single file and on the right so motorists can see you clearly.

Photos by Maria Jesu Dass and Nicole Daw