Pensford is an arbitory start, because you have to start somewhere. The route heads along a quiet lane that passes under the now disused railway viaduct that last saw a passenger train in 1968. The lane is quiet and leads to Upper Stanton Drew where it is well worth taking the diversion to look at the Stone Circle at Stanton Drew. Through high hedged lanes to Denny Lane which is a delightful lane leading to the northerley edge of Chew Valley reservoir, where you can stop for twa and cake by the more ...

You climb out of Chew Stoke, zig-zagging through the outskirts of this pretty Somerset village. Keep climbing until you reach a chimney in a field to the right, long since disused. The lanes flatten now as you pass to the south of Winford, heading towards Bristol airport, along whose northern border you will pass before a long descent down the wooded road leading through Brockley Coombe where the end of this section is marked by the traffic lights at the A370

You're into rural North Somerset now as you pass through farming country that has shades of the Somerset Levels to the south. In it's own way this is one of the prettier sections of the cycleway. The Grade 1 listed Chelvey church dates from the 12th century and you pass this on your right as you ride the lanes. Past the Blue Flame pub, open in the evenings is a real throwback to spit and sawdust pubs, so maybe you could stay at the small campsite opposite. It's flat riding now as you head west t more ...

Bristol is a big city, but this section cleverly takes you through the northerly part using quiet roads and cycletracks. From Clapton-in-Gordano a series of lanes takes you towards the Avonmouth Bridge almost in a straight line using a couple of quieter lanes with views of the docks to the left. Through Pill and I's housing here the 410 signage is excellent, before climbing onto the Avonmouth Bridge that was built in 1974, with a fortuitous traffic free path that leads across the estuary accompa more ...

One of the flatter sections you'll cycle takes you along the Severn Vale. Being close to Bristol and quiet, it's popular with local cyclists. For much of the section you'll get a look at both the new (on the left) and the old (on the right) Severn Bridges leading to the foothills of Wales. Olvaston is the main settlement on this stretch with a shop, church, pub and even a bakery. This leads to one of the few climbs before dropping into Littleton-on-Severn to finish at the pub and the Sustrans mi more ...

Heading west, there will be more climbing than the previous section, but nothing strenuous as you gradually rise and fall with some lovely views across the Severn Valley. Round the outskirts of Thornbury with a grand church on the corner before the major climb of this section to cross the A38 (take care) to the high point at Milbury Heath with grand views and even a seat by the roadside. You'll hear the traffic from a distance, which is explained by crossing the M5, after which the lanes narrow more ...

Descend from Wickwar for extensive views. For so close to Bristol, it's a surprise to find a large common, but Hawkesbury Common provides an unfenced road scattered with small holdings and good views. The Somerset Monument looms ahead on the hill, but don't worry, although you can go that way the cycleway doesn't, instead turning right for another dose of common riding with pretty churches in the distance on the left. The section to Horton is a delight as you pass working farms along a very pret more ...

This part is almost a straight line due south and it starts with a lovely gated lane free of traffic through the fields. Welcome to Frampton Cotterell reads the sign as the route passes through this settlement to the north of Bristol passing shops and a welcome tearoom. Out the south side, under a viaduct and along a dedicated quiet lane where the cars are encouraged to stay under 30mph making it a safer ride. Crossing Westerleigh road leads to a dedicated cyclepath which heads to of Mangotsfiel more ...

From the railway station at Bitton, carry on down the railway path towards Bath. By the Millennium signpost leave the path to enter Saltford, leaving this and into the countryside to the west of Bath. Through the lanes with views of Bristol to the right to arrive at Compton Martin. Climb again, then a pretty descent through Woolard and onto Pensford with its amazing railway viaduct. The Route heads left just before the centre, but take a minute to go a little further into the village for a impre more ...