Colliers Way Cycle Route Overall Rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
Colliers Way is a disused railway in Somerset. Sustrans says it stretches for 17.5 miles from Frome to Monkton Combe. However, from Radstock to Monkton Combe is mainly on-road, albeit mostly on (normally) quiet lanes. As a result, this guide covers just the segment from Radstock to Frome, a ride of 10.2 miles, measured to Frome train station.
Even that isn’t the full picture: the first 4.7 miles are almost entirely on-road, first through Frome, then along quiet rural lanes. There’s a mile of uphill when leaving Frome.
So far it might sound negative, but please don’t be put off. The route from From station takes a circuitous path, including a few shorter traffic-free segments, before sticking to quiet lanes that are a pleasure to cycle on. The last bit in Radstock is on roads again, but they’re either quiet, or limited to 20mph.
I ended the route at The Riverbank, a restaurant/coffee shop in Radstock. From Radstock, there a short on-road segment, before continuing towards the Two Tunnels Greenway. It is just 11 miles to Bath, with just over six of that completely traffic-free.
It is possible to get a train from Bath to Frome, then cycle the combined Colliers Way and Two Tunnels Greenway back to Bath.
Surface on Colliers Way
The surface is tarred throughout and is rideable pretty much in all weather (black ice risk in mid-winter excepted).
Bikes
Bikes with bigger tyres are better, but road bikes should be fine. You can also use cargo bikes, tandems and trikes.
The grading system I use is explained here.
Points of Interest
Cheddar Gorge is not overly far away.
The Wookey Hole is nearby(ish), as is Wells, England’s smallest city. Glastonbury Tor isn’t too far away, either.
Routes in Somerset
Route video
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