The Kennet and Avon Canal

Hiking the full canal from Reading to Bristol plus 20 day walks
Guidebook to walking along the Kennet & Avon Canal. The 94 mile route from Reading to Bristol is split into 7 stages of fairly easy walking, and includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath and Bristol's Floating Harbour. 20 circular walks are also included, ranging from 4¼ to 9 miles, taking in the best sections of the canal.

Stretching across southern England, the Kennet and Avon Canal offers walkers 152km (94 miles) of scenic towpaths linking the historic towns of Reading and Bristol through gentle river valleys, chalk hills and rolling countryside.

This iconic route passes through the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and Bristol’s vibrant Floating Harbour, offering walkers a unique blend of industrial heritage, waterways, nature, historic towns and rural landscapes.

The Kennet and Avon Canal from Cicerone is a comprehensive two-part walking guide to this classic route, combining the full canal path with a selection of shorter day walks that explore the best sections and surroundings. Whether you’re planning to walk the canal end-to-end or enjoy a series of rewarding excursions, this guide provides clear directions, practical insight and inspirational highlights for every stage and outing.

• Complete coverage of the 152km (94-mile) canal path from Reading to Bristol, described in seven manageable stages with step-by-step guidance for navigation along towpaths, locks, aqueducts and canal towns — ideal for long-distance walkers on a week-long break
• Twenty circular day walks ranging from approximately 7 to 15km (4¼–9miles) that take in the canal’s most scenic and historic sections, perfect for half-day excursions and exploring nearby villages and countryside
• 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping, downloadable GPX files and detailed route descriptions are included for every walk and canal stage, helping you walk with confidence whether you’re tackling the full route or a shorter outing
• Easy access points to the walks from towns and cities such as Reading, Newbury, Hungerford, Great Bedwyn, Pewsey, Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath, Keynsham and Bristol, making planning logistics, accommodation, and transport simple
• Highlights of the route include Crofton Pumping Station, the remarkable Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the ornate aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas, and the rolling landscapes of the North Wessex Downs and Cotswolds National Landscape

From tranquil towpaths winding through riverside meadows to the engineering marvels of lock flights and aqueducts, the Kennet and Avon Canal invites walkers to immerse themselves in southern England’s scenery and heritage.

With this guidebook, you can explore the canal at your own pace, enjoying hidden corners, historic towns, and the ever-changing landscapes along this classic inland waterway.

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.