Section 3 of 3, Black Country Canals: The Dudley & Stourbridge Ring
Smestow to Stourton Junction
10.8 miles (17.5 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SO 861 917. Finish: SO 920 866. 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
About 88 m of climbing and 32 m of descent; highest point 132 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Smestow.
- Bus stops
- Brickbridge Lane, 340 m from the start. Directions SO 862 920Bridgnorth Avenue, 400 m from the start. Directions SO 864 919Waterdale, 410 m from the start. Directions SO 862 921
- Car parks
- Car park, 430 m from the start. Directions SO 861 921Car park, 580 m from the start. Directions SO 863 922Car park, 820 m from the start. Directions SO 860 925
Getting back
The section finishes at Stourton Junction. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- The Boulevard / Mill St, 160 m from the finish. Directions SO 921 867The Boulevard / Mill St, 250 m from the finish. Directions SO 922 867Mill St / Corbett Rd, 260 m from the finish. Directions SO 922 865
Planning the Black Country Canals: The Dudley & Stourbridge Ring
- Planning the whole trail: dudley.gov.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: earth, rock and mud 58%, gravel and tracks 35%, paved or flagged 7%.
Almost all off road.
On the way: 2 gates.
Steepest climb: about 27 m in a kilometre (1 in 37), starting 7.9 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Green Man, Swindon: 0.8 miles in. Food, real ale.Navigation Inn, Greensforge: 2.3 miles in.The Bird in Hand, Audnam: 7.9 miles in.The Samson & Lion, Hawbush: 8.3 miles in.The Bulls Head, Chapel Hill: 9.6 miles in.The New Wellington, Withymoor Village: 9.8 miles in.The Bell, Church Hill: 10.6 miles in.The Tenth Lock, Church Hill: 10.6 miles in.Old Bush, Swindon: 0.8 miles in, about 150 m off the way. Real ale.The Glassworks, Audnam: 7.7 miles in, about 250 m off the way.And 7 more within a quarter of a mile.
- Café
- Heath Mill Café, Smestow: 0.2 miles in.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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