Peter Schrammel - Mountains

6. 4. 2026

Peter Schrammel

Weather

sunny

Interest

***: Varied ride from the sea via gorges, lakes and stone circles to the city

Route

Weston-super-Mare station, 6m - Cheddar, 18m - Priddy, 257m - Wookey Hole, 55m - 282m - Blagdon Lake, 48m - 130m - Chew Valley Lake, 58m - Stanton Drew, 40m - Dundry Down, 210m - Bristol Temple Meads station, 16m

Elevation gain

+1200m/-1190m

Distance

82km

Timing

6h10 (1:30 + 1:00 + 0:20 + 0:45 + 0:25 + 0:15 + 0:15 + 0:30 + 0:35 + 0:35)

Stamina

E: several ups and downs that accumulate

Difficulty

0: all tarmac except for the section on the old railway track along the Cheddar Reservoir; steep, narrow roads with sharp turns

Danger

0: car traffic

Visitor frequency

d: cars, cyclists, horses

Report

After a blustery Holy Week a calmer, sunny Easter Monday was forecasted. I booked a return trip to Western-super-Mare with bicycle reservation in order to explore the Mendip Hills and then return to Bristol via Chew Valley Lake. I also discovered a stone circle at Stanton Drew that I could visit on the way back. I took the train at 5.34am and arrive at 7.53am at Western-super-Mare. I took the wrong station exit; so I couldn't take the direct way down to the sea, but only one further south. It was almost freezing and the promenade was surprisingly busy with dog walkers and cyclists despite everything in town seemingly being shut and boarded up off-season. I continued to the village of Uphill with its church throning on a grassy hill. I could have climbed over Bleadon Hill to avoid a short section on the A370, but there where still quite a few hills ahead of me. The village of Bleadon was just about to wake up. The road takes a tour around the church to climb a little hill before the road falls down into Shiplate. I felt now warmed up enough to take off my jacket. After crossing the M5 the road climbs again a bit at Webbington with nice views over the wide plain of River Axe and beyond to River Parrett interrupted by little knolls. Judging by the number of cars at the trailheads, the hills surrounding the combe of Compton Bishop, Crook Peak and Wavering Down, seem to be popular hiking spots. After crossing the A38 I passed through the lengthy, historic town of Axbridge, beautifully located at the foot of the hills. The cycle path signs led me on the former railway track along the eastern side of the Cheddar Reservoir, which is actually a lot more idyllic than one would assume from looking at the map. I took some residential streets along the hillside to reach the entrance to the gorge. It was towards 9.30am and a cheese shop was already open. So, I loaded my backpack with some freight. Some tourists were already strolling through the town and gorge, but it was by far not as overcrowded as last time when I was here, when it was impossible to find a parking place despite the entire gorge essentially being a huge car park. Nonetheless, the gorge was impressive with the bright sunlight making the sheer cliffs and wild pinnacles glow, while the bottom of the gorge felt like being in a black hole. Gradually the road wound its way out of the gorge towards the plateau while I was overtaken by motorcycles and vintage race cars. There would have been an option to take a detour via Draycott, but that would have added another 250m of elevation to the tally, which was expected to reach 1200m today anyway. The Mendip Hills plateau is covered by pasture-like farmland with scattered villages, such as Priddy where sheep markets used to take place on the village triangle. After reaching a great view point at the edge of the plateau the road dropped into the Wookey Hole, famous for its caves, the Ebbor gorge and its historic paper mill. It was towards 11am and my stomach was already growling. So, I ate lunch in the quiet flowery church yard. Considering that it was warm in the sun now and I had to climb up to the plateau again I shed another layer of clothing. I followed the Old Bristol Road, which was unexpectedly quite busy. On the way down I switched to Highfield Lane to avoid the A368. That steep, narrow, twisty hollow way offered me an additional surprise: horse riders. After Compton Martin I wanted to pass via the hills west of Chew Valley Lake to avoid the B3114. First, I cycled to Blagdon Lake, another big artificial lake and climbed the Awkward Hill towards Nempnett Thrubwell. There were nice views towards the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills opposite. After another steep climb the road followed the ridge towards Chew Stoke with some views of Chew Valley Lake. The views across the lake were better when crossing the dam towards 1pm. There were lots of bank holiday afternoon walkers. To reach my next destination, Stanton Drew, I had to cross a ridge via a hollow way. There are several stone circles at Stanton Drew with two dozen megaliths still standing. After a relaxing stroll around the vast complex, I continued my ride towards 2pm passing by the funny-looking, hexagonal toll house on a road triangle and climbing the road via Norton Hawkfield to the pass at Dundry Down from where the old road descends into Bristol in several sharp turns. I wasn't quite sure what would be the best way to Temple Meads; therefore I watched out for cycle path sign posts. These led me via park along Malago river. Later, I missed the continuation and took a detour via Parson Street station. Finally, I arrived at the castle-like Bristol Temple Meads station towards 3.15pm. I had booked for a later train, but I didn't want to wait; so, I took the train at 3.30pm.