This route hits all the Bristol highlights. There are two options: the classic Bristol 3.5 mile Harbourside loop, and an add-on of up to 3 miles that includes Castle Park, Brandon Hill, and other central Bristol sites.
Harbourside Loop. This is a scenic, flat loop around Bristol’s marina, following dedicated paths along the Feeder Canal. Start in historic Queen Square, cross the pedestrian Pero’s Bridge to Millennium Square, and run west along the north side of the canal. You’ll pass the Lloyds Amphitheatre event space, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and Underfall Yard. At 1.6 miles, take the swinging bridge to Spike Island, and run along the northside River Avon path, past Wapping Wharf and the M Shed museum, to the start.
Brandon Hill. Flickr: Nick
Castle Park & Brandon Hill Add-On. This adds ~3 miles if you decide to do both. From Queen’s Square, take Welsh Back north for 0.2 miles to the grassy Castle Park, where the ~0.8 mile loop will pass a ruined church and castle, a sensory herb garden and Normandy Landings memorial. Exit the park onto Broad St., heading north onto Christmas St. getting the heart rate up on the famous Christmas Steps. Continue onto Park Row — one of Bristol’s main commercial streets, with lots of nice old stone buildings — to Berkeley Square. This leads to Brandon Hill Park, where you’ll run on paths climbing nearly 200 feet to the Cabot Tower, a neo-gothic landmark with sweeping views. Exit the south side of the park into Brandon Steep, heading south through the area of the iconic Bristol Library and the 1100s-era Bristol Cathedral. Cross Anchor St. passing the Bristol Aquarium, taking Pero’s Bridge back to the start.
More Add-Ons: Additional Paths west along the River Avon, which also connect to several of our other Bristol routes.
Flickr
This route hits all the Bristol highlights. There are two options: the classic Bristol 3.5 mile Harbourside loop, and an add-on of up to 3 miles that includes Castle Park, Brandon Hill, and other central Bristol sites.
Harbourside Loop. This is a scenic, flat loop around Bristol’s marina, following dedicated paths along the Feeder Canal. Start in historic Queen Square, cross the pedestrian Pero’s Bridge to Millennium Square, and run west along the north side of the canal. You’ll pass the Lloyds Amphitheatre event space, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and Underfall Yard. At 1.6 miles, take the swinging bridge to Spike Island, and run along the northside River Avon path, past Wapping Wharf and the M Shed museum, to the start.
Brandon Hill. Flickr: Nick
Castle Park & Brandon Hill Add-On. This adds ~3 miles if you decide to do both. From Queen’s Square, take Welsh Back north for 0.2 miles to the grassy Castle Park, where the ~0.8 mile loop will pass a ruined church and castle, a sensory herb garden and Normandy Landings memorial. Exit the park onto Broad St., heading north onto Christmas St. getting the heart rate up on the famous Christmas Steps. Continue onto Park Row — one of Bristol’s main commercial streets, with lots of nice old stone buildings — to Berkeley Square. This leads to Brandon Hill Park, where you’ll run on paths climbing nearly 200 feet to the Cabot Tower, a neo-gothic landmark with sweeping views. Exit the south side of the park into Brandon Steep, heading south through the area of the iconic Bristol Library and the 1100s-era Bristol Cathedral. Cross Anchor St. passing the Bristol Aquarium, taking Pero’s Bridge back to the start.
More Add-Ons: Additional Paths west along the River Avon, which also connect to several of our other Bristol routes.
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Essentials
Harbourside Loop: 3.5 miles (5.6 km)l; Castle Park/Brandon Hill add ~3 miles
Harbourside Loop is flat; Castle Park/Brandon Hill adds 179 feet (55m)
Run for up to 5.4 miles along the River Avon. Starts in the center of Bristol at the marina, then north for 4 miles as a dirt path with some water views. Also good access to other good Bristol running spots.
An iconic Bristol run in the city's largest park, with expansive fields of green and great views into the Avon Valley. Options to include the Clifton Observatory & historic Suspension Bridge.
The 850-acre Ashton Court estate is among the running highlights in Bristol. There are lovely paths around rolling meadows and woodland. Good add-on options. Also home to a parkrun.
Several waymarked loops at this National Trust property, with a mixture of open grassy glades, broadleaf woodland and veteran oak pollards. Great views of the gorge below. Good add-on options.
For a long off-road run, this former railway is now a paved multi-use path connecting Bristol and Bath. Numerous parks, historic bridges & tunnels over its 15-mile distance. Runs along the River Avon closer to Bath.
A short but pleasant route in eastern Bristol, featuring a section along the River Avon, the Victorian St. George Park, Avonview Cemetery, and the fields of Netham Park. Option to add Troppers Hill.
A nice 10k, entirely off-road run in the northeast part of Bristol, featuring Eastville Park, the Frome Valley Walkway along the River Frome, and Oldbury Court Estate.
National Trust property is a Gothic Revival home featuring beautiful grounds: gardens, vast woodland, heritage trees, and rolling parkland. Run on a marked 5k route or several other marked loops.
Pleasant, scenic running on a series of footpaths around the Blaise Castle Estate and Kings Weston House. Landscaped grounds, parkland, meadows, & woods. Also a 1.2 mile path along the River Tym.
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Essentials
Harbourside Loop: 3.5 miles (5.6 km)l; Castle Park/Brandon Hill add ~3 miles
Harbourside Loop is flat; Castle Park/Brandon Hill adds 179 feet (55m)
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