19k Run Bathampton: Scenic Route by the River Avon

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 19km out-and-back route is a dream for runners seeking a flat, sustained effort through the heart of the Somerset countryside. Starting in the charming village of Bathampton, you’ll join the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath, heading southeast toward the magnificent Avoncliff Aqueduct. The terrain is entirely unpaved, offering a softer, more natural surface of hard-packed trail and gravel that is kind to the joints while remaining fast enough for tempo intervals. With a negligible ascent of just 45 meters, this route allows you to lock into a consistent rhythm as you navigate the gentle curves of the waterway, passing colorful longboats and shaded woodland stretches along the River Avon valley.

Beyond the physical effort, this corridor is steeped in industrial heritage and architectural grandeur. The highlight of the journey is crossing two of John Rennie’s Georgian-era masterpieces: the Dundas Aqueduct and the Avoncliff Aqueduct. These "monuments of the canal age" carry the canal high over the River Avon and the railway line below, offering stunning panoramic views of the valley. Local runners often stop for a quick splash of water at the Cross Guns in Avoncliff before turning back. Keep an eye out for kingfishers and herons; the stretch between Bathampton and Monkton Combe is a thriving wildlife habitat that makes this long run feel like a true escape from the nearby bustle of Bath.