Road · United Kingdom
Corston to Bristol
A rolling 52 km road cycling out-and-back route from Whiteway, England through Twerton, Corston and Soundwell, with 220 m of climbing. 60% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 51.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 220 m
- Riding time
- 2–3 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Whiteway
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 220 m
- 52 km
Route description
- Whiteway
- Twerton
- Corston
- Soundwell
- St Philip's
- Cotham
- Stapleton
- Bridgeyate
- Newbridge
- Whiteway
The route starts in Corston and travels through Newton Saint Loe, Saltford, and Bitton before reaching Bristol city centre at 25.7 km. It continues through various districts including St Philip's, St Paul's, and Cotham before returning along the same path. The highest point is 80 m at 18.9 km, with a low of 13 m at 5.6 km. The route features mainly flat terrain with 78% flat sections and only 0.1 km over 5% gradient. Climbing is mostly in the first half, accounting for 48% of the elevation gain.
The road surface is predominantly paved with 88% tarmac, supplemented by 6% gravel or unpaved and 6% unmapped surfaces. Most of the route (60%) is on cycle paths, primarily the Bristol & Bath Railway Path ridden for 27.7 km, with 15% on paths, 14% on quiet streets, and 6% on minor roads. There is 1.3 km of main roads without cycle lanes and 0.9 km on main roads in total. The longest descent is 2.3 km dropping 37 m starting at 21.5 km.
Food and drink options include cafés near Warmley (km 15.3), Mi Café Su Café close to km 20.6, and several others near the Bristol sections. Shops such as Lidl and Tesco Express are available within a few hundred metres off the route. Toilets are located at several points including Saltford at 8.1 km and near Bristol city centre at 25.8 km. Bail-out points with stations are found at Oldfield Park at 2.7 km and Avon Riverside at 41.8 km. The longest stretch without café, shop or water is 7 km between km 39.7 and 46.7.
Why ride this route?
- 60% on cycle paths or lanes.
Highlights
- Bristol & Bath Railway Path for 27.7 km
- Highest point 80 m at 18.9 km
- Bristol city centre at 25.7 km
- Longest descent 2.3 km starting 21.5 km
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 60% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 60% cycle path · 15% path · 14% quiet street · 6% minor road · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 1.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Cycle paths
- 30.8 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Bristol & Bath Railway Path (28 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 88% is mapped as paved, 6% as unpaved or gravel and 6% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 11% climbing · 11% descending · 78% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.3 km from 21.5 km, dropping 37 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 245 cafés and restaurants, 65 shops, 2 water points, 6 petrol stations, 10 public toilets and 13 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.9 kmHearts Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 2.3 kmBakers Of Bath · bakery · on the route
- 8.1 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 12.2 kmPetrol station · 210 m off route
- 15.3 kmWarmley Waiting Room Cafe · café · 30 m off route
- 15.5 kmIdeal Pharmacy · pharmacy · 200 m off route
- 20 kmBools Bicycles · bike shop · 390 m off route
- 20.6 kmMorrisons · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 25.8 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 26.9 kmLloyds Pharmacy · pharmacy · 130 m off route
- 27.5 kmEsso · petrol station · 220 m off route
- 28.9 kmWater point · 130 m off route
- 30.6 kmLidl · supermarket · 180 m off route
- 35.9 kmWarmley Wheelers · bike rental · on the route
- 38.3 kmOldland Common Pharmacy · pharmacy · 120 m off route
- 39.7 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 48.5 kmLidl · supermarket · on the route
- 49 kmRose Cottage Hub Cafe · café · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 2.7 km — Oldfield Park (station), 570 m off route
- 23.9 km — Lawrence Hill (station), 130 m off route
- 41.8 km — Avon Riverside (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 25.8 km — Quakers Friars (ruins)
- 39.1 km — Quarry (attraction)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- The Brook Bar & Bistro (140 m), The Lounge (770 m), The Centurion (740 m)
- Shops
- Twerton Local (430 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water is 7 km from 39.7 to 46.7 km
- 1.3 km on main roads without cycle lane