Walks you can reach from Caldicot by train

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: 1h

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

Recommended

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended

Walk details: Railwalks.

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

Time: 6h–11h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Field paths.

Time: 4h–8h30

Warnings: Can be very muddy or boggy.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Fantastic. Woodland paths.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 10h–19h30

Warnings: Short stretch on a fast-traffic road with limited verge.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Awesome views across the Severn estuary and Gwent Levels. A long, mostly off-road coastal walk along the Wales Coast Path, with sweeping views across the Severn Estuary and Gwent Levels and plus a few stretches along busy roads going in and out of the two cities. Very exposed to the elements throughout. Mostly follows the Wales Coast Path. Wildlife includes kestrels, curlews and grass snakes; 7,000-year-old footprints have been found on the estuary shore. The Lighthouse Inn at St Brides Wentlooge is currently closed.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 6h30–12h30

Lunch: There are no places to get food or water on the route, so bring everything you need.

Warnings: A fifth urban. The route is very exposed, so wind, rain or heat will be strongly felt. There are no refreshment or water stops the whole way, so carry everything you need. A few stretches along busy roads at the city ends.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Railwalks.

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: 5h–10h

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: 5h–10h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Impressive stretch; impressive.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 5h–10h

Walk details: Railwalks.

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

Time: 6h30–13h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

The beautiful Mon & Brec canal towpath. For most of the way an easy, flat walk along the green and atmospheric Monmouthshire & Brecon canal towpath, surprisingly rural and full of wildlife. The towpath is paved but a little knobbly in the middle section and can be slippery with leaf-fall on slopes. Urban sections with underpasses, overpasses, ramps and steps bookend the canal at both Cwmbran and Newport and with a series of locks on one uphill stretch. Much of the Newport end is signposted as cycle route 47. There is plenty of waterfowl along the canal.

Waterway: three quarters along the Monmouthshire Canal.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Warnings: Several busy roads must be crossed to get out of central Cwmbran; most have controlled crossings but not all, including a fast roundabout on unmarked crossings.

Walk details: Slow Ways.