Rivers linked by a canal. The name refers to the entire navigable length. From Bristol the way is the Avon. The canal is from Bath to Newbury. From there to Reading the way is the Kennet. 53 locks to Summit Pound (150 m asl) and 54 down to Reading.
OSM map layer · LineString
51.39, -1.83 · rel 8345184
51.39, -1.83 · rel 8345184
Kennet and Avon Canal Trail
155,0 km from River Avon at Bristol to River Thames at Reading through urban area.
River Avon at Bristol
→
River Thames at Reading
linear
155,0km
Distance
multi-day
Climb · estimate
moderate
Difficulty · estimate
linear
Shape
35
views
1
Viewpoints
01 · Character of the route
Is this one for you?
Urban Area
1× viewpoint
Castle or ruins
Remote
Uncrowded
compiled from map data (OSM) and points of interest along the route — no editorial layer
02 · The story
What makes this route special
03 · 20 points along the route
What will you encounter?
3× Attraction
14× monument
1× viewpoint
2× ruins
Avoncliff Aqueduct
Attraction ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Pero's Bridge
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Caen Hill Flight of Locks
viewpoint ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Miss Emma Saunders
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Samuel Plimsoll MP
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Merchant Navy Association Bristol
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
HMS Flying Fox
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
The Pump House Chimney
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Bristol Ships Lost
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
The Beaufort Lodge of Freemasons
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Welsh Back
Attraction ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Deceased Workers
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Spanish Civil War
monument ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Kennet & Avon Visitors' Centre
Attraction ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Goods Yard Crane
ruins ·
on the route
155,0 km
100%
Kintbury
ruins ·
34 m off route
155,0 km
100%
John Cabot
monument ·
37 m off route
155,0 km
100%
Woodes Rogers
monument ·
40 m off route
155,0 km
100%
Sikh War Memorial
monument ·
41 m off route
155,0 km
100%
The First American Consulate
monument ·
41 m off route
155,0 km
100%
04 · Landmarks
Steady waypoints
Start
Quarter of the way
Halfway
Three quarters
Finish
05 · Intersecting routes
Where you meet other trails
06 · From the trail
Through the eyes of hikers
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07 ·
no reports yet
What hikers experienced
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08 · Before you go
Answers to common questions
Kennet and Avon Canal Trail is 155.0 km long.
At an average walking pace, Kennet and Avon Canal Trail takes approximately 38h 33min to complete.
No, Kennet and Avon Canal Trail is a linear (point-to-point) trail. It runs from River Avon at Bristol to River Thames at Reading. Plan ahead for return transport.
Kennet and Avon Canal Trail starts at River Avon at Bristol.
Kennet and Avon Canal Trail is a strenuous hike requiring excellent fitness and prior hiking experience.
Kennet and Avon Canal Trail is maintained and managed by Canal River Trust.