Slough GUC cycle route overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
The Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal branches off the main canal. I started this route right by the Slough railway station, and it ends at the West Drayton train station. This makes it very simple to take your bike on the train, and turn this linear route into a loop.
The towpath can be very narrow in places.
Surface on the route
The surface varies: the short on-road sections at the start and end are on tar, but most of the route is on a towpath that doesn’t have a sealed surface.
In places, the towpath can get bumpy, and when wet, it can by muddy and slippery.
Refreshments
There are cafés at Slough train station, but no cafés on the canal itself. The next café will be at West Drayton train station, at the end.
Bikes
This route is best suited to sturdy hybrids, gravel bikes, touring bikes, or mountain bikes. Road bikes will struggle.
Trikes and most cargo bikes will severely struggle with this route.
Toilets
You will only find toilets at the start, and finish of the route.
Safety from traffic
Almost the entire route is traffic-free. However, if you wanted to start and end at the train station either side, there are short stretches on the road.
Points of Interest
Windsor Castle is nearby.
Routes in Berkshire
Barriers
Like most canal rides, this route is not accessible, and there are some steps along the route.
Cycle Hire
There are no cycle hire facilities directly on, or very near this route.
Child friendliness
Like any route alongside water, ensure at least one adult who is a competent swimmer accompanies and children on this route.
Social safety
Large parts of this route can be very isolated, often with no way to get off the towpath, unless either continuing, or going back the way you came.
Hilliness
As you’d expect from a canal ride, this route is flat.
Weather forecast for the Slough arm of the GUC
What the Slough Arm of the GUC looks like
Getting to the route
The route as shown on the map below starts at Slough station, so you can easily get to the start car-free, by taking your bike on the train. Even better, the route ends at West Drayton station. Both stations are on the Great Western Railway main line, which offers services from Paddington. As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
Parking near the route
There is paid-for parking off Horton Bridge Road, near the finish.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes that can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle.
Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal interactive map
And finally…
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