Bath Skyline walk
All year round, views from this circular walk’s elevated position offer new perspectives of Bath, nestled among tree-lined hills. The contrast of the city, so close to this rural haven, is a special combination that has earned the area World Heritage Site status. Please ensure you follow directions showing the walk in a clockwise direction.
Near to
Bath SkylineStart point
Bathwick Hill at Cleveland Walk, ST76046 64704Trail information
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Bathwick Hill at Cleveland Walk, ST76046 64704
Stage 1
Standing on Bathwick Hill at entrance to National Trust Bathwick Fields, cross road to Cleveland Walk opposite and continue for 400m until narrow footpath on the right opposite Sham Castle Lane. Follow path to meet North Road. Turn right and continue to kissing gate (KG) on opposite side of road. Cross road, and through KG.
Stage 2
Continue up steep steps and path through field. At top go through KG onto small road with bench on the left. Detour to Sham Castle (200 m). Cross over road and follow path up past small stone building, then bear right to reach Sham Castle. Retrace steps to bench.
Sham Castle on the Bath Skyline | © National Trust Images Stage 3
From bench, keep views to your left. Take path down steps into woodland. Follow path. Ignore metal KG on left, and follow path right and right again, steeply uphill to KG at the top.
Stage 4
Turn left onto track, keeping woods to your L. Continue past KG on the left. Leave wider track on approach to radio masts and take smaller grassy path to the left. Continue across two fields keeping level ground. Walk down a short slope which bears left, turn right into wood through gate.
Stage 5
Follow winding path through woods until reaching junction of steep cross path. Go straight across past large rocks on both sides and up short slope between two trees where path splits. Take wider path in middle, past large rocky cliff on the right. Keep to the higher path, ignoring any others. Path ascends gently to large Y junction, here bear left and continue to metal KG.
Stage 6
Go through KG into open field. Continue ahead with fence on L. At end of field, go through gate in wall and bear right. Cross field keeping wall on the right until reaching gate. Go through gate, turn left along track. Turn right before metal gates and go through wooden gate (University land). Go over stone stile in wall on the left and turn right along road for 100m. Turn left onto public footpath at gap in wall just before Cats and Dogs Home. Follow path, it narrows at end then reaches Claverton Down Road. Go left for 40m then cross road to small layby.
Conservation grazing is used to maintain habitats for wildflowers | © National Trust/Rachel Beaumont Stage 7
Go through gate to the left of layby. Follow fenced path for 800 m, through several wooden gates until you reach woodland on the right.
Stage 8
Turn right into woodland, and follow woodland path for 1km, until you reach wooden gate in stone wall. Go through gate and straight over cycle track. Continue, with playing field on the right. Bear left down rocky slope, ignoring wooden stile straight ahead.
Stage 9
Turn right, through stone pillars. Continue along path with views down the valley on the left. Go past pond on the left then bear right up steps. Continue straight ahead through trees until you re-join cycle track. Turn left onto cycle path and follow for 150m until you reach metal KG on the left.
Stage 10
Go through KG and follow path down to main road at bottom. Cross road, and continue down road with field and views to the right. Turn right into field through KG, then immediate left through second KG. Walk downhill across field keeping views ahead. Bear right to reach KG next to water trough. Go through KG and follow path down steps keeping fence to the left. Detour to Smallcombe Garden Cemetery – a tranquil haven with abundant wildlife and a number of notable historic graves – turn right up lane for 140 m.
Smallcombe Wood carpeted in wild garlic in spring | © National Trust Images/Rachel Beaumont Stage 11
Go through KG at bottom of hill, cross lane, and through gate opposite. Continue up steep path and steps, bearing right and bending left. Go through KG into field. Continue up slope until Bath is in view. Bear right then keep left as path forks and continue to KG into Richens Orchard. Cross top of orchard to another KG. Bear left and head for KG. Go through KG and take path to the right. Continue 200 m across field to pedestrian gate next to larger gate. Exit field and go straight on to reach National Trust Bus Stop where walk started.
End point
Bathwick Hill, grid ref: ST76046 64704
Trail map
Bath Skyline walk | © Ordnance Survey
More near here
Walk to the View at Bath Skyline
A 3-mile circular walk from Bath city centre out to the countryside of the Bath Skyline. Stunning views, hidden waterways and Georgian history await families and explorers.
The Prospect Walk at Dyrham Park
The Prospect Walk at Dyrham Park guides you to the best points around the parkland to enjoy views across the Cotswold hills and the Bristol Channel.
Journey of Discovery trail
Enjoy a ramble through the past on this family-friendly trail through Dyrham's parkland. This is a landscape that's steeped in history and each waypoint of this walk reveals a different clue from days gone by.
Tyntesfield woodland walk
As well as woodland, this circular walk takes you to Tyntesfield highlights including the kitchen garden, rose garden, holly walk and Home Farm.
Get in touch
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Things to see and do at the Bath Skyline
With 500 acres of woodland and farmland in our care at the Bath Skyline, there's plenty to explore. Discover nature, wildlife and views of the historic city from this natural viewpoint.
Walking your dog at the Bath Skyline
Bath Skyline is a one pawprint rated place. Discover spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and long walks for dogs and owners, no matter what the season. Find out more to help you enjoy your visit.
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.
Staying safe at National Trust places
The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.
Outdoor activities
Searching for a new outdoor activity to try? Discover the best places in our care for outdoor activities, including off-road cycle tracks, walking trails and coastlines for watersports.