Section 2 of 3, Black Country Canals: The Dudley & Stourbridge Ring
Bilston to Smestow
11.2 miles (18 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SO 929 971. Finish: SO 861 917. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
Almost flat: about 19 m of climbing and 89 m of descent; highest point 148 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Bilston.
- Bus stops
- Cheviot Rd / Rough Hills Rd, 210 m from the start. Directions SO 928 969Ettingshall Rd / Dixon Rd, 270 m from the start. Directions SO 930 973Durberville Rd / Rough Hills Rd, 270 m from the start. Directions SO 929 968
- Car parks
- Car park, 460 m from the start. Directions SO 926 967Car park, 540 m from the start. Directions SO 934 971Car park, 560 m from the start. Directions SO 924 973
Getting back
The section finishes at Smestow. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Brickbridge Lane, 340 m from the finish. Directions SO 862 920Bridgnorth Avenue, 400 m from the finish. Directions SO 864 919Waterdale, 410 m from the finish. Directions SO 862 921
Planning the Black Country Canals: The Dudley & Stourbridge Ring
- Planning the whole trail: dudley.gov.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: earth, rock and mud 55%, paved or flagged 39%, gravel and tracks 6%.
Almost all off road.
No stiles recorded.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 2 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Oddfellows, Compton: 5.4 miles in.The Mermaid, Castlecroft: 6.3 miles in.The Round Oak, Wombourne: 10.2 miles in.Waggon and Horses, Smestow: 10.9 miles in. Step-free.The New Inn, Rough Hills: 0.1 miles in, about 250 m off the way.Kings Hall Banqueting Suite & Conference Centre, Rough Hills: 0.4 miles in, about 150 m off the way.Red Lion, Rough Hills: 0.4 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Summer House, Rough Hills: 0.6 miles in, about 250 m off the way.Harp Inn, Wolverhampton: 0.9 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Great Western, Wolverhampton: 1.3 miles in, about 150 m off the way. Real ale.And 24 more within a quarter of a mile.
- Cafés
- Costa, Wolverhampton: 1.4 miles in.Tastebuds Cafe, Low Hill: 2.7 miles in.Cupcake Lane, Tettenhall: 4.6 miles in.Café Express, Rough Hills: 0.4 miles in, about 250 m off the way.Kismet, Wolverhampton: 1.5 miles in, about 150 m off the way.Biscotto Cafe, Wolverhampton: 1.5 miles in, about 250 m off the way.Harry's Spice, Wolverhampton: 1.5 miles in, about 250 m off the way.The Little Dessert Shop, Wolverhampton: 1.5 miles in, about 250 m off the way.Thirstea, Wolverhampton: 1.5 miles in, about 300 m off the way.2 Sisters Coffee Lounge, Wolverhampton: 1.5 miles in, about 400 m off the way.And 6 more within a quarter of a mile.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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