With little elevation change and the relative navigation ease that comes from walking much of the way along gently flowing waterways, this route offers a direct entry to a profoundly deep immersive walking experience… just you and your merging with the natural landscape around you.
Let this network of peaceful canals and pathways that connect England’s great rivers– the mighty Thames and the River Severn– softly guide your footsteps through beautiful countryside and charming villages, and to the unfolding stillness within.
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**Walking trails are organic things, changing from time to time due to environmental occurrences, trail maintenance and construction, temporary detours, and so on. Effort is put into keeping these mobile route maps up to date, but I can’t guarantee absolute accuracy due to unforeseen changes. I welcome your feedback if you come across any discrepancies so I can make corrections for the benefit of our community of fellow wayfarers.**
Total distance:
7 Walking Segments / 43.8 miles
Start location:
Upper Framilode, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom
Finish location:
Lechlade, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom
Route direction:
Generally west-to-east
Sacred Springs & Wells on this route:
The informational materials provided with your mobile route map include details for where you’ll encounter each sacred spring or well, including in which Walking Segments they’re located. Each sacred spring or well is marked on your mobile route map with a designated icon shown in the provided map key.
- Segment 4: Thames Head: although visually not necessarily impressive, the source of the mighty River Thames is certainly a spring of great significance
7 Walking Days + 1 Rest & Integrate Day = 8-day immersive walking journey (not including travel to and from the route location)
What is a Rest & Integrate Day? Find out here.
Suggested itinerary:
An in-depth look into creating your pilgrimage itinerary can be found here.
- Day 0: travel Arrival Buffer Day
- Day 1: walk Segment 1: 5.9 miles
- Day 2: walk Segment 2: 5.1 miles
- Day 3: walk Segment 3: 5.5 miles
- Day 4: Rest & Integrate Day
- Day 5: walk Segment 4: 6.2 miles
- Day 6: walk Segment 5: 8.9 miles
- Day 7: walk Segment 6: 4.3 miles
- Day 8: walk Segment 7: 8.1 miles
If you don’t have time to complete the entire route, choose the Custom Length option below to have your route trimmed to the number of Segments you do have time for. (Remember to include a Rest & Integrate Days for every 3-4 days of walking for a full immersive experience). For example, if you have time for 5 Walking Days and 1 Rest & Integrate Day, you can choose to do Walking Segments 1 – 5, or Walking Segments 3 – 7, or any five consecutive Walking Segments of your choice.
If you prefer to start with Segment 7 in Lechlade and finish with Segment 1 in Upper Framilode, walking east-to-west, choose the Reverse Direction option below.
You also typically have the option to engage the use of ground transportation for help in completing any Walking Segments that might seem to be of a daunting length. Catch a bus or grab a taxi or use a ride-hailing app.
Nearest airport to route (international, regional):
Bristol Airport, Bristol (BRS); approximately 40 miles from trailhead, approximately 60 miles from end of route
Nearest transit station to start of route:
Stonehouse Station (SHU); Burdett Road, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 2JW (7.2 miles from trailhead)Route 65 bus to Upper Framilode, 24 minutes Gloucester Station (GCR); Bruton Way, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 1DE (9 miles from trailhead)Taxi, bus, and bus + train options to Upper Framilode, 1 - 2 hours by transit, 22 minutes by taxi
Nearest transit station to end of route:
Swindon (Wilts) Station (SWI); Station Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 1DQ; approximately 12 miles from end of routeBus and taxi options; transit options from 36 minutes; 22 minutes by taxi
Navigation app:
You’ll need a navigation app in order to use your mobile route map on your phone.
I recommend and provide step-by-step instructions for installing and using the highly regarded Caltopo app. It’s available for iOS and Android, in a free version and in a $20 paid upgrade version for offline use.
With the Caltopo app, you’ll be able to track your location on the map, so you’ll be able to view your progress along the route, see how far you have to go, and never worry about getting lost.
Unless you have satellite phone plan that provides universal coverage, I recommend the upgrade to Caltopo’s Mobile plan ($20 for a year of use), which allows you to find your way whether or not you have a signal (or prefer to leave your phone in Airplane Mode). The app does work better while connected, but will get you by when not, and I’ll share tips in your route materials for how to get the best usage experience. That said, it wasn’t that long ago when I was navigating solely via paper maps and trail markers… and I’m here to tell the tale.
Caltopo requirements:
iPhone: iOS 16.0 or later; the app has a file size of 172.5 MB
Android: 5.1 (Lollipop) or higher; the app has a file size of 32.7 MB
The informational materials provided with your mobile route map will walk you step-by-step through adding the navigation app to your phone, setting up your Caltopo account (free or upgraded) for logging into the mobile app, importing your route map, and all of my best tips for setting it up and using it for on-trail navigation.
Here’s where to find the Caltopo app if you want to check it out before receiving your route map’s step-by-step instructional materials:
If you already have a navigation app that you know and love, feel free to contact me after your mobile route map purchase to request a map file to import. Keep in mind that in most, if not all, cases, some of the functionality of the Mystic Path Mobile Route Maps’ interactive icons and the appearance of some of the map elements may not transfer correctly.
I don’t have any affiliation with Caltopo; I’ve simply found it to be the best tool for navigating with Mystic Path Mobile Route Maps that’s available for both iOS and Android.
Unless you've selected personalization options, your mobile route maps will be delivered to your Mystic Path account for access upon purchase, along with all of the necessary instructions and materials for using them.
If you’ve selected personalization options for your mobile route map, you’ll receive an email notice when your personalized route (and its accompanying informational materials) have been delivered to your Mystic Path account.
Alright, let's get the not-so-fun stuff out of the way...
Digital Products Policy key points:
No Refunds on Digital Products once downloaded, except as stated in the Digital Products Policy
Due to the non-tangible and irrevocable nature of digital products, all sales are considered final and non-refundable once the product has been downloaded.
Please reach out with any questions before completing your purchase, or if you need help accessing or using your mobile route maps.
Any refund requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted within 14 days of purchase.
Single User License
Each digital product is for a single user license. Sharing credentials or allowing others to use the digital products is prohibited.
Instead, consider purchasing multiple copies of your chosen route for your walking group companions, or grab gift cards below for your favorite fellow wayfarers.
Digital Product Policy
View the full Digital Product & Refunds Policy here.
Now make it YOUR journey...
Personalization options for your route map.
Descriptions for each of these Personalization Options can be found back on the main Shop Page, where you have the option to add them there as well…
