Start: Newtown Finish: Berriew (or continue to Welshpool) Distance: 9.5 miles (15km_ or 12.5 miles (20km) to Welshpool Notes: One of the easeir sections of the Severn Way, keeping close to the Montgomery Canal towpath. You can take public transport back to Newtown from Berriew and Welshpool.

The Route

You can join the Severn Way at the Severn footbridge in the centre of Newtown, known locally as Halfpenny Bridge. The nearest car park is opposite the main Post Office in the town.

After crossing the footbridge, turn right over a metal stile and walk along the floodbank. At the far end, descend to a gate and onto a path through undergrowth.

Pass through the grounds of the Old Pump House, now a private residence, and onto a track that runs on to join the Montgomery Canal Walkway, constructed by Severn Trent Water in 1983, using the former canal bed and ports of the riverbank.

The onward path past the Pwll Penarth Nature Reserve is the old towpath alongside the former canal bed, which is dry at this point. Stay on the towpath, unless you want to divert at a stile into the main part of the nature reserve. Beyond the end of the nature reserve, from Freestone Lock onwards, the canal is filled with water.

With little need for route description, the Severn Way now simply follows the towpath all the way to Welshpool. As it approaches Aberbechan the canal is carried by a triple-orched aqueduct over Bechan Brook, where the remains of a corn mill and makings are concealed by trees.

At Abermule, the route is diverted to the right to pass under a road. Continue to Brynderwen locks where you cross to the opposite side of the canal for a short distance, before crossing back again at the next bridge, turning under it to rejoin the towpath.

Brynderwen is a former coal wharf and a 19th-century warehouse still survives. Beyond Brynderwen Cottage, it's towpath all the way into Welshpool; delightful, easy walking, but often too close to the A483 to enjoy the tranquillity of what is unquestionably beautiful countryside.

A number of bridges odd interest to this section: Glanhafren Bridge is the most ornate, with its cost iron balustrades, while Red House Bridge is one of the few remaining swing bridges on the canal. In the summer, keep a keen eye out for grass snakes basking in the sun and kingfishers feeding on fish from the canal.

South of Fron, the canal finally meets the busy road. Cross with care and continue on the other side.

North of Fron the canal, but not the towpath, passes beneath the main road, which you have to recross to continue beside the on-going canal, finally getting a little further awayfrom the road and the sound of traffic for a while.

On the edge of Garthmyl, where a number of wharf buildings can still be identified, you meet the B4385. Turn left to a junction, and then right on the A483. Go post the Nag's Head and branch left onto a lane which crosses the canal. Turn left to rejoin the towpath. When next you meet a road, at Refail, go forward to rejoin the towpath.

Anyone wanting to explore Berriew village or watch salmon leaping the waterfall in October, should leavethe towpath at the aqueduct and descend to join a lane. Turn left alongside the River Rhiw and walk up towards the village.

Go past the Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture to a junction near the Talbot Inn. Turn right, crossing the Rhiw. A short way on you'll find a post office, village shops, the Lion Hotel and a telephone.