Discover the Severn Way, a 215-mile (344km) journey that follows the course of the UK’s longest river from the wild heights of Plynlimon plateau in mid-Wales, through the superb landscapes of Powys, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, including the tranquil Hafren Forest, before reaching the Bristol Channel at Severn Beach. With unspoilt scenery, historical towns and villages, and the river’s many twists and turns, the Severn Way offers walkers countless challenges and delights at every stage.

Ideal for fit, healthy and experienced walkers, the Severn Way’s official route is divided into 22 manageable daily stages, with options to tailor the walk to your ability and timeframe. The comprehensive Cicerone guidebook allows for flexible itineraries, whether you wish to complete the route over three weeks, walk shorter sections, or explore day walks and route variants, including a scenic variant start over Plynlimon and an onward ‘Bristol Link’ into the city centre.

• Explore a rich tapestry of history and geography as you follow the Severn’s path, visiting lively market towns and villages such as Llanidloes, Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Ironbridge, Worcester, and Gloucester. The route weaves together threads of trade, commerce, civil war, and the lives of ordinary folk, finishing at Severn Beach or continuing onward on the Bristol Link to the heart of Bristol.

• Enjoy the Severn’s unspoilt scenery and abundant historic interest, from ancient river crossings and industrial heritage to peaceful woodlands and meadows. Along the way, you’ll find welcoming pubs and tea rooms, as well as opportunities to discover the region’s unique hospitality and character.

• The Severn Way can be walked throughout the year, but the best time is between May and September, when the landscapes are at their most vibrant. Each stage includes detailed guidance, with advice on tackling longer stretches, riverside walking, and hilly terrain.

• Each section features a detailed route summary table with start and finish points, distances, ascent and descent, and practical advice on accommodation, public transport, and facilities at key locations including Llanidloes, Newtown, Shrewsbury, Ironbridge, Worcester, Tewkesbury, Gloucester Docks, and Severn Beach.

• Navigate confidently with Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps, featuring clear overlays that show each stage of the route.

• Discover the varied wildlife and habitats of the Severn Valley and surrounding countryside, from woodland birds in the upper reaches to a wealth of wetland and riverbank species further south. Points of interest are highlighted in each section to help you make the most of your visits along the way.

Plan your Severn Way adventure with confidence and immerse yourself in the history and landscapes along Britain’s longest river, with the comprehensive support of the Cicerone guidebook.

Author Highlight

“Flowing through superb landscapes and passing appealing towns and villages, the River Severn pulls together threads of history, trade, commerce, civil war and the lives of ordinary folk to produce a tapestry that is finely woven and rich in colour. That walkers should want to trace its course, its many twists and turns, is hardly surprising, not least because of its capacity to offer countless challenges and plentiful delights. As our pace of life has become increasingly frenetic, walking the Severn Way is a chance to get away from it all and relax without having to resort to distant mountain regions."

- Terry Marsh, author of Walking the Severn Way

Map key 

Introduction 
The Severn: Source to sea 
About the route 
Weather and when to go 
Getting there and transport 
Accommodation 
Preparation and fitness 
Equipment 
Suggested itineraries 
Maps and GPS 
Using this guide 

Powys 
Stage 1 Rhyd-y-benwch to the source 
Variant start: Eisteddfa Gurig to the source via Plynlimon 
Stage 2 Source of the Severn to Llanidloes 
Stage 3 Llanidloes to Caersws 
Stage 4 Caersws to Newtown 
Stage 5 Newtown to Welshpool 
Stage 6 Welshpool to Crew Green 

Shropshire 
Stage 7 Crew Green to Montford Bridge 
Stage 8 Montford Bridge to Shrewsbury (English Bridge) 
Stage 9 Shrewsbury (English Bridge) to Atcham 
Stage 10 Atcham to Ironbridge 
Stage 11 Ironbridge to Bridgnorth 
Stage 12 Bridgnorth to Upper Arley 

Worcestershire 
Stage 13 Upper Arley to Stourport-on-Severn 
Stage 14 Stourport-on-Severn to Worcester 
Stage 15 Worcester to Upton-upon-Severn 
Stage 16 Upton-upon-Severn to Tewkesbury 

Gloucestershire 
Stage 17 Tewkesbury to Gloucester Docks 
Stage 18 Gloucester Docks to Upper Framilode 
Stage 19 Upper Framilode to Frampton-on-Severn 
Stage 20 Frampton-on-Severn to Sharpness 
Stage 21 Sharpness to Oldbury-on-Severn 
Stage 22 Oldbury-on-Severn to Severn Beach 

Bristol Link: Severn Beach to Bristol
 
Appendix A Route summary table 
Appendix B Useful contacts 
Appendix C Facilities along the Way 
 

Seasons

May to September should avoid the usual periods of flooding and the muddy aftermath they bring.

Centres

main centres are Worcester and Gloucester. Other centres are Newtown, Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Stourport and Tewkesbury, plus numerous small villages and hamlets.

Difficulty

a regular walker should find no difficulty following the Severn Way. Once descended from the Hafren Forest and the upper Severn, easy river walking ensues all the way to Severn Beach. Equipment and clothing for day walking is adequate.

Must See

flowing through the most superb landscapes and past appealing towns and villages, the River Severn pulls together threads of history, trade, commerce, civil war and the lives of ordinary folk. It is the longest river in the UK.

August 2023

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