Section 1 of 7, St James' Way
Reading Abbey to Allbrook
9.3 miles (15 km). About 3 hours, moderate.
Start: SU 420 109. Finish: SU 460 210. 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 62 m of climbing and 49 m of descent; highest point 18 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Reading Abbey.
- Bus stops
- Town Quay, 20 m from the start. Directions SU 420 109Queen's Terrace, 130 m from the start. Directions SU 421 110Red Funnel Terminal, 140 m from the start. Directions SU 419 109
- Car parks
- Triangle (pay), 40 m from the start. Directions SU 421 109Car park, 40 m from the start. Directions SU 421 109Gloucester Square, 90 m from the start. Directions SU 420 110
Getting back
The section finishes at Allbrook. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Allbrook Post Office, 130 m from the finish. Directions SU 459 211Rookwood Close, 430 m from the finish. Directions SU 456 208Highbridge Farm, 480 m from the finish. Directions SU 465 212
Planning the St James' Way
- Planning the whole trail: csj.org.uk.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: A Pilgrim Guide to St James' Way (Confraternity of St James).
- Baggage transfer: the services listed for the trail.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 48%, earth, rock and mud 32%, gravel and tracks 17%.
About 21% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 2 kissing gates.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 8 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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