Community Forest Path in the Forest of Avon
The Community Forest Path is a 45 mile circular route of Bristol that includes a Marilyn (East Dundry Hill) and a unitary authority top (Dundry Down) along the way. On a crisp cold morning, the path is picked up at the northern end of the Clifton suspension bridge where it wends its way across the parkland of Long Ashton. Then the difficulty starts. The authorities are building a new road which has obliterated the course of the path. As it was the holidays, I walked through an abandoned building site and the trick is to continue down the empty road until you see the stile in the field on the right. Climb over the obstacles and regain the path. The Forest Path then climbs the ridge above Bristol in North Somerset where you get views of the city. This continues for some miles as you walk from village to village. Signage is poor and care must be taken to follow the correct footpath until you reach the River Chew. The Three Peaks path doubles up with the Community Forest Path for some time and then the Two Rivers Path merges as a pleasant river walk develops. The River Chew flows through a small valley with farms clustering along the road above the flood plain. The fields are well-drained and the path is well trodden as it is a favourite of local dog walkers. Before you know it, suburbia beckons with parks, houses and roads. Keynsham marks the southern half of the circular as the Chew flows into the Avon.