Cheddar Gorge from Ashton Court Car park, BS41 9JN

Cheddar Gorge
Start at Ashton court, 3 miles west south west from Bristol City Centre.
Head west thgrough Long Aston on reasonably quiet road, through rolling countryside and woodland.
Keep on A370, heading south west to Congresbury. Leave main road on to Brinsea Rd and follow south, keeping right at fork near Mendip Spring Golf Club.
You’re now in the rolling hills of the Mendips, and continue through Sandford, and then on to Winscombe. Join A371 heading east, before turning south again to pretty town of Axbridge. Heading east with Cheddar Reservoir on the right, and shortly after you drop into Cheddar Gorge. Then begins the 2.2 mile climb average 4.5%, with one steep bend that maxes out at 17%.
Keep climbing gently for another 3 miles approx, with fantastic views, to village of Priddy. After anoth mile turn sharp noth onto the Old Bristol Rd.
Shortly afterward there’s a fast 3 mile descent to Chew Valley Lake on your right. Keep north on Barrow Lane, before heading right on Bridgewater road, going east through the three Barrow Reservoirs. Soon after turn left on Yanley Lane and follow north to rejoin Long Aston Rd, and back to start.
Highlights: Spectacular views along the way, Lakes, rivers, forests, and the climb up out of the Gorge – one of the top 100 UK climbs.

Distance: 44.5 miles
Ascent: 2982 feet

GPX File: Cheddar-Gorge-Circular-Ashton-Court-start.gpx