A waymarked circular route has been unveiled by Bathscape for walkers to explore the countryside and view the city from every angle.
Nicole Daw from Cotswolds National Landscape and volunteers who have helped with waymarking the route
The 20.5-mile Circuit of Bath takes in river, canal, meadows, woodland and valleys and provides the opportunity to walk in any season.
It passes classic Bath landmarks in the landscape, including Little Solsbury Hill, Beckford’s Tower, Dundas Aqueduct, the Kennet & Avon Canal, Millennium viewpoint and the Wansdyke.
The route also includes the villages of Woolley, Upper Swainswick, Bathampton, Monkton Combe, South Stoke and Englishcombe.
With its compact layout and surrounding hills and valleys, Bath is known as one of the most beautiful and most walkable cities in the UK.
Bathscape project manager, Dan Merrett, said: “This is a significant milestone in our project and one of which we are very proud.
“Through our project partner, Cotswolds National Landscape, we have made physical improvements to the route including installing waymarkers and we now have trail guides ready to use, splitting the route into four sections.
“Walkers can really challenge themselves whilst experiencing the best of Bath as a landscape city.
“We’re grateful to the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens and Bath Ramblers for all their work and to the players of the National Lottery, which are funding the project.”
Bathscape has worked with a group of volunteers to complete the improvements and waymarking and has recently recruited a team of volunteer rangers to look after the route.
Working with experienced wardens, volunteers have taken on a stretch of the route that they walk regularly, keeping it well maintained and easy to walk.
The new rangers recently joined the volunteers who worked on the path improvements at a thank you event.
Councillor Mark Roper, cabinet assistant for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Many people enjoyed taking walks in their local area during the pandemic.
“This new walking route offers a longer connected path around our beautiful city and surrounding countryside. It’s also a great motivator for people who want to improve their fitness or wellbeing.
“The Circuit of Bath walking route is accessible by public transport and the easy-to-use guides and waymarking will get you round safely. For people who already know the route, why not take a couple of hours a month to help as a ranger and help others enjoy our beautiful local landscape?”
The route is based on the Julian House Circuit of Bath walk, which the Bath-based charity has been checking and refining every year since 2001.
People looking for a challenge who want to try to walk the full distance in one day can sign up to the sponsored walk on Sunday, 25th September. You can register for it here.
On this date, Julian House will provide checkpoints, with water, snacks and toilets and a shuttle bus in case you want to shorten the walk.
You’ll be able to raise vital money to support people experiencing homelessness and escaping domestic abuse.
The Julian House walk is the finale of the annual Bathscape Walking Festival, featuring more than 60 walks on different themes and in different locations.
For a more leisurely approach to the route, the walk has been divided into four sections linking to public transport stops.
The route maps, step-by-step instructions and travel information are available here.
A team of volunteers have been checking and rechecking the instructions, but continued feedback on the walk and the guides is welcomed by emailing [email protected].
Bathscape has said it will continue working with Cotswolds National Landscape and Bath Ramblers to carry out more improvement works on the route.
