Avon calling

Jonathan Manning takes an easy riverside route under the spectacular Clifton Suspension Bridge

There is a reasonable debate to be had about the best viewpoint to admire Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. Designed by the Victorian engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, when he was just 24, the famous bridge spans the Avon Gorge. It is arguably as beautiful as it is impressive, especially when illuminated at night.

The classic viewpoint is from Observatory Hill, looking from above and across to limestone cliffs and the deep broadleaf greens of Leigh Woods. Alternatively, there is the vertiginous view from the piers on either side of the bridge for a dizzying sense of the drop to the Avon.

But for a complete perspective of the epic scale of the gorge and bridge, the view upwards from the riverbank is impossible to beat. If the only way to appreciate the height of basketball players is to look up at them then the only way to grasp the full drama of the gorge and its famous bridge is to peer up. 

This is exactly the standpoint served by this riverside ride. It sets out from Baltic Wharf Club Campsite and within 650m has crossed a Meccano-like bridge to leave all traffic behind. It then follows the Avon Cycle Trail for five miles, riding under the Suspension Bridge, below cliffs that are home to peregrine falcons, all the way to Ham Green and Pill, where there is no shortage of pubs to slake a thirst, before retracing its steps to the campsite.

The Avon is a constant companion with its strong tidal flow changing the outlook from full river to gloopy mudbanks every 12 hours. The difference between high and low tide can be as great as 12.3m (40ft) at Avonmouth, near Pill on the Severn Estuary, making it the world’s second highest tidal range. This ‘boast’ is underlined by flood gates that are set surprisingly high up the riverbanks. 

Given that this is a relatively short ride, there are opportunities to extend it by exploring Leigh Woods, where the Yer Tiz Mountain Biking Trail is graded blue (suitable for beginners), while more experienced riders can try optional red grade sections.

You can download this route from our dedicated Strava page here.

Directions

1. From Baltic Wharf Club Campsite, turn right. In 300m, at the traffic lights, turn left along Cumberland Road. There’s a no entry sign, but cyclists and buses have access. Pass a vast, red brick warehouse on the left and arrive at a set of traffic lights with a bridge ahead.

2. 530m – Cross the bridge and turn right immediately on the other side, following a track with the river on the right. Continue on this trail, under Clifton Suspension Bridge, for almost 7km to reach a road.

3. 7.4km – Go straight ahead on the road, soon passing a fishing lake on the left, and continue for 600m to a T-junction.

4. 8km – Turn right at the junction, signposted to Pill, Portisbury and Portishead. In 30m, at another T-junction, go straight across following the National Cycle Trail 41 through the park. In 200m, on the other side of the park, follow the same directions and Trail 41 onto Workhouse Hill, then descend for almost 900m to a T-junction with a road.

5. 8.9km – Turn left at the road, ride under a railway viaduct, and then turn right immediately, passing The Star Inn on the left, and follow the road round to The Duke of Cornwall Hotel. From here, retrace your steps back to Baltic Wharf Club Campsite.

About the route

• Start/finish: Baltic Wharf Club Campsite, Cumberland Road, Bristol BS1 6XG.
• Distance: 11.25m/18km.
• Time: 2  hours.
• Level: Suitable for all cyclists and e-bikers – traffic free and almost flat. 
• Terrain: Hard packed mud and asphalt, ideal for mountain and gravel bikes, and hybrid bikes in drier conditions.
• Landscape: River valley, broadleaf woodland and farmland.
• Refreshments: The Star Inn; The Duke of Cornwall Hotel; The Kings Head – all in Pill.

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The Caravan and Motorhome Club make no warranties concerning the accuracy or completeness of the routes published, which to the best of our knowledge were correct at the time of publication. Your use of the routes is at your own risk and we accept no responsibility for the suitability or safety of any routes published. Routes may be out of date or affected by changes to the physical environment and, to the extent permitted by law,  we accept no responsibility for personal injury or property damage caused by your use of the routes.