The path follows the route of the
Midland Railway Mangotsfield and Bath branch line, which was closed during the
Beeching Axe of the 1960s in favour of the more direct former
Great Western Railway between the cities, from
Lawrence Hill in central
Bristol to
Newbridge in
Bath. It passes through the suburbs of
Easton,
Fishponds, and
Staple Hill, then the villages of
Mangotsfield,
Warmley,
Bitton and
Saltford, before ending at Newbridge.
Bristol end . The path starts at Trinity Street, Lawrence Hill.
Clay Bottom A housing development at Clay Bottom (near the B4469) has encroached onto the alignment of the railway, and the cycleway diverts around several houses causing a blind corner. These houses would be in the way of any future use of this section as a guided busway or rail use.
Staple Hill 3.2 miles from the Bristol end, the path reaches
Staple Hill station. On the remaining platform there is a modern sculptured seat. The path rises up level with the platform, and then drops back down to the track bed. A short distance from the station is the entrance to the 0.3-mile-long Staple Hill Tunnel under
Staple Hill. The west end of the tunnel is at , the east end at . The path takes up less than half the width of the tunnel, with the rest of the floor uneven rocks. The tunnel is lit all year-round, and despite the warning signs, 24 hours a day. The roof leaks in places, giving the appearance of rain, often when outside it is dry.
Mangotsfield station from the former
Mangotsfield railway station Mangotsfield railway station was on the
Midland Railway Bristol and Gloucester main line, the junction for the
Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line to
Bath Green Park railway station. It had six platforms. The disused Bristol and Gloucester route to
Yate now provides a spur from the railway path northwest to the Bristol ring road cycle path and
Emersons Green. The remaining island platforms have railway-related sculptures between them, some depicting waiting passengers. One notable sculpture was that of a suitcase, supposedly belonging to one of the passengers. However, it disappeared in the summer of 2008.
Avon ring road From 1999 to July 2001 South Gloucestershire Council built a new section of the A4174 Avon ring road along part of the path. While the work was being undertaken the path was diverted away from the old railway line and a new section was added around the ring road, increasing the length by 200 yards. The new section includes two bridges, several tight corners, a hill (South Gloucestershire Council describes it as a 'barely perceptible gradient'), and two
cattle grids.
Warmley station The
station platform at
Warmley contains a cafe, serving refreshments seven days a week year-round, and includes public toilets.
Avon Valley Railway taken from the path Between
Avon Riverside and
Oldland Common the path shares its route with the
heritage Avon Valley Railway. Along this two-mile shared section the path crosses the railway line at two
level crossings. There has been opposition to the Avon Valley Railway expanding their line, demonstrated by the painting of graffiti along the path where it runs parallel with the line. The railway's cafe at
Bitton railway station is open all year round.
Bath end The end of the path is at the Brassmill Lane trading estate in Bath. The west Bath riverside path continues to the city centre. ==Sculpture==