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Cycling the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
Route facts
Waterways:
Gloucester & Sharpness Canal »
Distance: 15.91 miles / 25.6 km
Duration: 1 day
Difficulty: Moderate
Starts at: Gloucester Docks
Ends at: Sharpness
The rich and varied landscape of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal makes it a popular choice with cyclists and walkers, who can cycle and walk all or part of its 16-mile length. Along the way, you will experience historical features like Gloucester Docks, pass the National Waterways Museum, see spectacular views like those of The Cotswolds, The Forest of Dean and the Severn Estuary, and submerge yourself in the peace of the unspoilt countryside and the Wetlands Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge.
The route is easily split into shorter, more manageable sections, should you not wish to cycle the full length.
Gloucester Docks to Hempsted (1 mile). Good cycling. Car parking and refreshments are available in the Docks.
Look for Gloucester's industrial heritage, boating, fishing and rowing.
Hempsted to Sims (1 mile). Unsuitable for cycling - please dismount and walk.
Sims to Rea (0.5 miles). Good cycling. Towpath is wide and even. Popular with the local community.
Rea to Sellers (1.5 miles). Towpath is narrow and in poor condition in places. Extra care is required. Refreshments are available from The Pilot pub at Sellers.
Sellers to Saul Junction (3.5 miles). Good cycling.
Look out for views of The Cotswolds and The Forest of Dean.
Saul Junction to Fretherne (1 mile). Varied cycling - towpath is in good to average condition. Refreshments, cycle hire and other facilities are available at the village of Frampton, which runs alongside the canal.
Look for attractive canalside and plenty of points of interest.
Fretherne to Splatt (1.25 miles). Good cycling. Two pubs provide refreshments.
Look for glimpses of the Severn Estuary.
Splatt to Patch (2 miles). Cycling is good. Refreshments, accommodation and cycle hire in Slimbridge village.
Look for spectacular views of the Severn Estuary, which provides habitats for many species of bird. Patch is the gateway to the Slimbridge Wetland Wildfowl Trust bird centre.
Patch to Sharpness (4.75 miles). Good cycling. Refreshments and other facilities at local villages close to Sharpness.
Look for contrasting scenery, from the rural wildlife of Patch to the bustling shipping harbour of Sharpness.
Please note, cycling is not permitted through Sharpness Marina.
Getting there
Parking: There are plenty of parking opportunities at each end and en route, at: Gloucester Docks The Pilot pub at Sellers Saul Junction Splatt
Public transport: By road, the canal is off the M5 and the A38.
