Bath to Bristol Canal Walk

19.9 miles (32 km)

This walk follows a section of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trail from Bath Canal to Bristol Circular River Walk. The route runs for a distance of roughly 20 miles, following the towpath west to Swineford Keynsham, before proceeding through the eastern suburbs of Bristol and finishing on the western side of the city....
The journey begins at the bottom of the Widcombe Flight in Bath, where the man-made canal joins the River Avon navigation. Moving westward, the route guides you past the historic engine houses at Twerton and the old brass mills at Saltford before reaching the riverside village of Swineford and the town of Keynsham, which once housed an expansive Roman villa. As the trail leaves Keynsham, it follows the river through the dramatic, steep-sided valley of the Avon Gorge, crossing beneath the spectacular Hanham Lock. Entering the eastern suburbs of Bristol, the path transitions through the industrial heritage sites of St Philips and Temple Meads, where you can view Brunel's historic railway architecture. The walk continues along the edge of the vibrant Bristol Floating Harbour, showcasing converted 19th-century warehouses and historic ships like the SS Great Britain, before officially concluding on the western side of the city at the scenic green spaces of Hotwells and the Cumberland Basin.
The riverbanks along this long-distance corridor cut through a mix of wooded valleys and urban wetlands that provide a sanctuary for local wildlife. The fast-flowing river sections and overhanging willow and alder trees support a healthy population of kingfishers, grey herons, and cormorants, which can regularly be seen diving for fish near the weir pools. Along the quieter, rural stretches between Saltford and Hanham, lucky walkers may also spot otters hunting in the reeds, while wild marjoram and water mint bloom along the banks during the summer months.
For an alternative walking and cycling route between the two cities see the Bristol and Bath Railway Path.