Training Run Nailsworth Sapperton Stroud 18 Miles

An 18 mile route starting in Nailsworth, following country lanes to Sapperton, before joining the famous Severn-Thames canal towpath and ending in Dudbridge, Stroud.

Brief Route Description

Starting in Nailsworth, from the Co-op Car park, head down Market Street, turn right to the Roundabout, turn right, go over the pedestrian crossing and turn left onto the B4014, Avening Road.  Follow the Avening road, into the village and up a short hill to the Cross Inn, on Tetbury Hill.  Turn left downhill towards Minchinhampton, for about 400m and then as the road begins to climb, turn right signposted Nagshead.  Continue on this road through Nagshead, up a short, but very steep hill, round the right into Cherrington.  At the T-junctiom turn left and pass all the houses on your left and just after the farm, turn left opposite the Cricket Club, signposted Sapperton.

Continue on this road for about 2 miles reaching a junction.  Go straight over, for Sapperton and up the gentle incline and onto Chapman’s Cross, the junction with the A419 Stroud to Cirencester Road.  Cross over (Busy Road, Caution!) and continue towards Sapperton.  At the next junction, turn left, sign posted Bisley &Waterlane.  Head down the hill to the bottom of the valley, by the Daneway pub.  Just over the Canal bridge, turn left onto Severn-Thames towpath.

Follow the towpath to Stroud, crossing the A419 at the bottom of Cowcombe Hill, Chalford.  Once in Stroud, go down the steps at the Lockkeeper Inn and under the bypass and follow to Ebley Mill.  At the Mill turn left, passed the building and round the back and up onto the Cycle Track, next to the Ebley bypass.  Turn left and continue to pedestrian crossing, cross over bearing left and head to the Tunnel at Sainsburys.

*** Extend Run to 21.5M, by continuing along the disused railway back to Nailsworth.

Diversions: Severn-Thames Canal

1. At Bowbridge Lock, it is necessary after climbing the steps, to turn left up Butterow Hill, over the railway line and then turn immediately right onto footpath, down the side of the railway line.  At the Viaduct, go over the river via he wooden footbridge and then rejoin the Towpath.
2. At Wallbridge, by the Lockkeepers Inn, go under the bypass and follow the path round onto Bath Road.  turn right, passed Dougfields Plumbing and then right again, through the car park.  This rejoins the towpath.

See the Cotswold Canals Trust website for full details >>>

Route

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use OS Explorer Map 168 Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud 1:25000 compare route below
Click to enlarge
Alternative Circular Route