Walks from Gloucester

Medieval friaries, Gloucester Cathedral's fan-vaulted cloisters, the historic docks and the river-meadow Alney Island reserve on the Severn.

Gloucester Docks: Britain's most inland port, the 1827 terminus of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, ringed by Victorian warehouses.

Gloucester Cathedral: A great medieval cathedral with celebrated fan-vaulted cloisters, near the start of the walk.

Llanthony Secunda Priory: The surviving buildings of a 12th-century Augustinian priory beside the Gloucester docks.

Alney Island Nature Reserve: A river-meadow nature reserve on an island between two channels of the River Severn.

Over Bridge: A single-span masonry bridge over the Severn designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1829.

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Bristol Rail Campaign (photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Great wide open views back to Gloucester and across towards Wales. Starts through Gloucester's historic streets, then field paths (muddy in winter) skirting Robinswood Hill, crossing under the M5 to wide open countryside with great views. Noisy near the roads and motorway in the first half and quieter and more scenic beyond.

Time: 6h30 (5h walking, 1h30 lunch)

1 lunch spot: the Fagin's

Warnings: After crossing under the M5 there is a short stretch of busy road with blind corners and little space off the carriageway before the footpath to Brookthorpe; take care. Fields can be very muddy in winter, and some stiles and bridges (e.g. near Daniel's Brook) are hidden in brambles and easily missed.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Wonderful. Riverside path with street sections at either end and flat and easy-going. Part of the Severn Way and Gloucestershire Way.

Time: 7h (5h walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Spectacular views. Hill and moorland paths and with substantial climbs.

Time: 8h30 (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).