Best walks near Newport by train

Highly recommended: A largely off-road route using the River Avon Trail and the well-maintained Bristol & Bath Railway Path (Sustrans Cycle Route 4), flat, smooth and scenic, with extensive tree shade in summer. The first part out of Keynsham, before the cycle path, has kissing gates and a cattle grid and can be muddy. Follows Sustrans National Cycle Route 4; passes Avon Riverside station on the Avon Valley Railway.

1 lunch spot: the Bird in Hand

Warnings: The Bristol & Bath Railway Path is a very busy cycle and jogging route — cyclists can pass at speed. The Keynsham end has five kissing gates and muddy ground.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Highly recommended: A long, wheelchair- and pushchair-friendly route that is largely Kennet & Avon Canal towpath, with pavement out of Bath and into Melksham. Avoids the stiles, fields and crops and livestock of the shorter cross-country alternatives.

Lunch: Bradford on Avon at the mid-point has multiple pubs, restaurants and facilities.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Highly recommended: Great views of the Bristol Channel. A beautiful coastal walk along the clifftops for most of the way, with a lower-level stretch after the power station and passing quiet beaches and caravan parks before the contrast of parkland at Porthkerry. Well-marked and easy to follow. Follows the Wales Coast Path, including part of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast with its Jurassic fossils and geology. Toilets and a couple of cafes en route.

1 lunch spot: the Blue Anchor

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Highly recommended: Far reaching views on Maesteg and the Llynfi valley. A walk primarily following the eastern bank of the River Lynfi, on an old tram road around the Garth and through fields with limited gradient and with a short climb up to Betws and a final off-road cycle lane into Sarn. A 100m section of narrow road walking at Betws. Runs through Bryngarw House and Country Park, over 100 acres of meadows, gardens and mature woodland. Both Sarn and Maesteg have train stations for a rail-and-trail option. Extensive woodland.

Lunch: Pubs and a shop in Betws to break up the journey; a café at Bryngarw House.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Highly recommended: A field-and-riverside walk passing through fields, woods and alongside the River Avon, with a section under a road bridge into Chippenham. The riverside areas can flood in winter and making it more of a summer route.

Warnings: Riverside sections can flood in winter. Fields around Melksham are often planted with crops, especially maize, which can make the walk challenging in autumn.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: A flat walk through former industrial land where nature is starting to reclaim the coast.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: A flat and fairly easy walk.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: A great walk. A great walk with a good variety of open fields, woodland, stony tracks and a disused-railway cycle track and with very little on roads. Muddy at some points; a very steep climb with steps from the cycle track up to Combe Down if walked from Frome. Extensive woodland.

Lunch: A pub at Norton St Philip, mid-route, makes a good coffee stop.

Warnings: A very steep climb with steps from the cycle track up to Combe Down.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Long views; beautiful. Hill and moorland paths with woodland, fields and with substantial climbs. Part of the Nailsea Round; Good for bird-watching. Extensive woodland.

Time: 5h30

Warnings: Can be very muddy or boggy; Sections prone to flooding after heavy rain.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Field paths.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Can be very muddy or boggy.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Canal towpath with fields and with strenuous climbs and descents; surfaced.

Time: 2h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Riverside path and flat and easy-going; surfaced.

Time: 2h30

Warnings: Can be very muddy or boggy.

Walk details: Railwalks.