The Bristol and Bath Railway Path runs 13.9 miles (23.3km) one way, according to the official measurement from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (the charity, formerly Sustrans, that built it). At an easy cycling pace the full distance takes most people two to three hours. From Bath, you join it at the western edge of the city near Newbridge, a short ride along the river from the centre and Bath Spa station.
How far is the Railway Path from Bath to Bristol?
The figure worth trusting is 13.9 miles (23.3km) one way, as measured by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, the route's custodian and part of the National Cycle Network as Route 4. You'll also see it rounded to 13 miles in some places and up to 15 miles (24km) elsewhere, including Wikipedia's entry, likely down to small differences in exactly where each source starts and stops measuring. Treat it as roughly 14 miles each way, so 27-28 miles for a there-and-back ride.
The path is almost entirely flat, since it follows a disused railway line, and is rated 97.6% traffic-free with a 99.7% asphalt surface. The one caveat for the Bath end: the official notes flag "a relatively busy industrial estate and residential road," so you're not fully clear of traffic until you leave the edge of the city.
Where to start in Bath
The path itself begins at the Brassmill Lane trading estate near Newbridge, on the western side of Bath. From the city centre or Bath Spa station, you follow the riverside path along the River Avon and join the trail proper once you're past Newbridge. Stay alert around the trading estate and nearby road crossings before the traffic-free stretch begins.
This is a different route from the towpath covered in our guide to walking the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath, which heads east towards Bathampton and Bradford-on-Avon rather than west towards Bristol.
Bike hire in Bath
You don't need your own bike. A few options operate from central Bath:
- Bath Outdoors / Bath Ebike Hire hires hybrid step-through bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes and children's bikes, with helmets, locks and a repair kit included, typically 9:30am to 4:30pm.
- Green Park Bike Station, an independent shop in central Bath, offers hire alongside sales, servicing and repairs, with a remote key return system.
- Bath Bike Hire, based at Sydney Wharf and Brassknocker Wharf, is geared more towards the canal towpath but can work if you're happy to cross town to Newbridge first.
Prices and hours change, so check current rates before you go. For a fuller rundown of hire options and other traffic-free routes around the city, see our guide to cycling in Bath.
What the path is like
Once you're clear of Newbridge, the surface is smooth tarmac, wide enough for cyclists and walkers to share, and lined with trees for much of its length. Being a former railway bed, there are no real climbs, though also few big views, since railway builders cut through hills rather than over them. The path does open out along the Avon Valley with glimpses of the river.
Expect a genuine mix of company: commuters, dog walkers, families, and other cyclists doing the same run. It gets busy on weekends and school holidays, particularly near Bitton, so it's not a route for going flat out.
The route from Bath to Bristol
Heading out from Bath, the path runs through the Avon Valley past a handful of landmarks:
- Saltford, the first village of note, with pubs near the path.
- Bitton, home to the Avon Valley Railway heritage steam line, which shares a short stretch of the corridor. The old station building has a cafe open year-round, and it's a popular stop.
- Warmley, with its own former station platform, cafe and public toilets.
- Mangotsfield and Staple Hill, as you approach Bristol, including a short, lit tunnel at Staple Hill.
- The Bristol suburbs of Fishponds and Easton, before the path finishes at Lawrence Hill and Trinity Street, a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads.
You'll also pass several public sculptures commissioned when the path was built, a nod to the corridor's railway past.
Getting back to Bath
You don't have to cycle both directions. GWR trains between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa take as little as 11 minutes and run frequently, carrying bikes first-come, first-served with room for at least two per service. Riding out and taking the train back is a popular way to do the route without doubling the mileage. See our guide to the Bath to Bristol train for current times and fares.
If you're building this into a longer day out, our day trips from Bath guide covers what else Bristol offers once you arrive.
Tips for riding it
- Carry water and snacks. Cafes at Bitton and Warmley aren't evenly spaced along the route.
- Bring lights if riding in low light, particularly through the Staple Hill tunnel.
- The path can get muddy in patches after heavy rain despite being mostly asphalt, so check conditions if the weather's been bad.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Bristol and Bath Railway Path?
13.9 miles (23.3km) one way, per Walk Wheel Cycle Trust's official measurement. You'll sometimes see it quoted as 13 or up to 15 miles elsewhere, depending on exactly where each source starts and finishes measuring.
Is the path suitable for beginners and children?
Yes, generally. It's flat throughout and rated 97.6% traffic-free, making it one of the more forgiving long-distance rides in the area. The stretch closest to Bath, through a trading estate and residential road, is the main exception.
Where can I hire a bike in Bath for this ride?
Bath Outdoors / Bath Ebike Hire and Green Park Bike Station both operate from central Bath and hire standard and electric bikes. See our cycling in Bath guide for hire options and current rates.
Can I take the train back instead of cycling both ways?
Yes. GWR trains run frequently between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa, take around 11-17 minutes, and carry bikes first-come, first-served with room for at least two per service.
Where exactly does the path start in Bath?
At the Brassmill Lane trading estate near Newbridge, on the western edge of the city, reached from central Bath via the riverside path along the River Avon.
Is this the same as the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath?
No, separate routes in opposite directions. The Railway Path heads west out of Bath towards Bristol, while the canal towpath heads east towards Bathampton and Bradford-on-Avon. See our canal towpath guide for that route.