Thames Path

Thames Path
The Thames Path sign at the end of the walk, by the Thames Barrier
Length	184 mi (296 km)
Location	Southern England, United Kingdom
Designation	UK National Trail
Trailheads	Kemble, Gloucestershire and Thames Barrier, Charlton, London
Use	Hiking, cycling
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	Easy
Season	All year

The Thames Path is a National Trail following the River Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Charlton, south east London. It is about 184 miles (296 km) long. A path was first proposed in 1948 but it only opened in 1996.

The path's entire length can be walked, and some parts can be cycled. Most of the path is on the original towpath but in some places it is not possible at several points where towpath traffic crossed the river using ferries. but apart from Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry The ferries no longer operate and in places such as Shiplake, Whitchurch-on-Thames and Moulsford, there are diversions away from the towpath. At other places, there are replacement connections such as at Hurley, where the Temple Footbridge was built in 1989.

Some parts of the Thames Path, particularly west of Oxford, are subject to flooding during the winter. The river is tidal downstream from Teddington Lock, and parts of the path may be under water if there is a particularly high tide.

The Thames Path Cycle Route is a black-signposted route that follows the river between Putney Bridge in the west and Greenwich in the east. It mostly follows the Thames Path, but diverges in various sections, especially where the path follows a footpath-only route. It also links National Cycle Route 1 (east of London) with National Cycle Route 4 (west of London).

The route can be divided into these sections: