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Planning the Trip | Get to the Canal | The Towpath | Equipment | Links | Other Canals
Maghull to Burscough
12- 24 miles
Burscough
to Wigan
24 - 34 miles
Former Lancaster
Canal South
37-47miles
Johnson's Hillock
to Cherry Tree
47 - 54 miles
Leeds & Liverpool Canal Cycling Guide
The Leeds - Liverpool Canal is popular with cyclists and work is being done to make it even more accessible to cyclists. This year, 2009, a plan has been announced to create the £400,000-plus route from Kirkstall Brewery along the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath before heading to Leeds University. Some of the towpath is part of the National Cycle Network.
Ask questions or leave advice on the new message board.
Planning the Trip
The Route: 127.25 miles of towpath
The canal was originally 127.25 miles long, the first quarter of a mile at Liverpool has been filled in but it is still possible to ride along the route to today's terminus at Eldonian Village. Both ends of the canal are close to the main railways stations of Leeds and Liverpool. It is possible to cycle along the towpath along the whole canal, the only exceptions are the two tunnels, Gannow and Foulridge. At the tunnels you will have to find your way over the top to meet the canal at the other side. There arent many junctions to confuse you, the Walton Summit Branch might throw you but it is only a quarter of a mile long!
I am creating google maps of the canal and hopefully these will help with your planning.
The Nicholson's Guides are useful for cyclists as well as boaters. I recommend them for any trip to the canal.
How far to go?
I have created a canal mile matrix to help you work out distances along the canal. Whether you are going all the way or just a short ride I hope it is useful.
National Cycle Network Routes
The Leeds Liverpool Canal and its towpath links up with some of the national cycle routes. Part of the western end of the canal around Maghull is on Route 62, the Trans Pennine Trail from Southport to Selby. National Route 6 runs from Blackburn to Accrington including the towpath between Blackburn and Rishton. National Route 68, the Pennine Cycleway, goes through Burnley, Barnoldswick and Gargrave. National Route 69 covers the towpath from Stockbridge to Shipley and the towpath to Leeds continues as Route 66, the White Rose Cycle Route on the Aire Valley Towpath. For more information on the national cycle network look at sustrans.org.uk
Getting to the Canal
By Train
Both ends of the canal are close to the main railway stations in Leeds and Liverpool. Along the canal there are stations along the route. Click the link on the left to see where the stations are and how to get from them to the canal.
By Car
There are lots of places to park along the canal. There are car parks beside the canal itself or at railway stations. There is on street parking too. I am currently putting together a google map of the places I have parked and a POI file for Garmin sat navs to help you find them.
On the towpath
Cycle Permits and Towpath Etiquette
To cycle on the towpath you will need to download and print a cycle permit, this must be taken with you and displayed. I have one but don't think I have ever seen anyone else with one and have never seen anyone checking for them. The towpath is not a public right of way, and you can be banned from it if you misbehave.
Not all of the towpath is 'open' to cyclists. The sections that are open are listed on the BWB website but in practice it can be confusing with cycle lanes marked out in sections closed to cyclists. None of the Rufford branch is open to cyclists. There is nothing physically stopping cyclists from using the closed sections. 
Some areas are contradictory, though, you will see a sign saying the cycle path ends and then another clearly showing cycles are permitted. Both in an area that is closed to cyclists according to BW.
Read the British Waterways guidelines. Slow down or dismount at bridges. When approaching a bridge you cannot always see if anyone is coming the other way and the towpath is not wide enough to allow people and bikes to pass. Remember pedestrians have right of way. In some sections the towpath is narrow so you will have to stop when passing people. Don't expect people to get out of your way, they might not throw themselves in the canal or a hedge to let you pass. Cyclists along with walkers, dog owners, young people and fishermen are unpopular with boaters so try to ensure you act responsibly and don't give them anything else to moan about.
Towpath Conditions
The quality of the towpath varies from tarmac cycle paths to thick muddy puddles. There are only a few short sections which could be a problem for cyclists but you can always walk your bike past these. The weather can change the towpath, I would avoid cycling after heavy rain.
I have cycled half way along the Rufford branch from the Junction. The towpath is not suitable for cycling. The towpath is muddy and narrow in places. Sometimes the towpath is lower than the water level.
Around Blackburn and Burnley the towpath has been improved. The new signs around Blackburn suggest the council is encouraging people to use the towpath.
During the winter months some sections of towpath may be closed off while work is carried out. A list of stoppages can be found online and its worth checking before you set out. British Waterways list stoppages here.
Towpath Gates
Some sections have gates and barriers to stop motorbikes getting on the towpath. These are a pain for cyclists but can be overcome.
There is a gap for bikes but this may be difficult for bikes with wide handlebars or bar-ends.
Some people pass the bike around the edge of the gate over the canal. Make sure you don't have anything that will fall in if you are doing this.
Cycle Equipment
I would recommend mountain bikes for the towpath and a mudguard. Cyclists should GET A BELL or be prepared to shout a warning to walkers who often wont hear you approach from behind until you are right on top of them. A spare inner tube and pump are handy too, its a long walk back with a flat tyre as I know from experience. Take plenty of water with you, you might find it hard to refill on route.
How long will it take?
Everyone will have a different style of riding and different abilities. Colin Dobson rode from Leeds to Liverpool and back in 22 hours 38 minutes. Let me know how long you took to do the ride so I can work out an average time.
Take Advice!
Why not take the time to read these blogs and sites that others have written about cycling on the canal.
Blogs
- Leeds to Liverpool Cycle Ride Blog Photos and comments of a 3 day trip from Leeds to Liverpool in 2007
- teamaldi.blogspot.com Team Aldi cycled from Liverpool to Leeds in one day in 2007.
- www.washingtonimaging.co.uk Notes on a ride from Skipton to Leeds in Jan 2008 on folding Brompton bikes
- www.goatchurch.org.uk One couples trip from Liverpool to Leeds in 2000
- pedalpressure.blogspot.com A cyclists blog
- liverpool2leeds.blogspot.com One day ride from Liverpool to Leeds in 2009
- colindobson.blogspot.com Lots of helpfull advice on riding from Leeds to Liverpool and back in two days in 2009
- llcanal.blogspot.com Cyclist planning and training for the one day ride in 2010
Websites
- www.waterscape.com The official site for cycling on the Leeds Liverpool Canal
- Sustrans: Canal at Litherland A pdf of a cycle route along the canal at Litherland
- www.airevalleytowpath.org.uk covers the towpath between East Marton and Leeds.
- www.ctc.org.uk the UK’s National Cyclists’ Organisation
- Video of cyclists on tour and passing a canal in 1956
Help!
Help me help other cyclists. Lots of people email me with questions about cycling along the canal. If you have any advice for cyclists send me an email and I will add it to this page. Or add comments to the new message board.
Liverpool (canal terminus) Church (halfway point) Leeds (River Lock)
Other Canals to Cycle
- The old Chester Canal from Ellesmere Port to Chester (see my canal page)
- The Regent's Canal: Limehouse to Little Venice (see my canal page)
Shipley to Leeds
115 -125 miles
Stockbridge to Shipley
109 -115 miles
Skipton to Stockbridge
99 - 109 miles
Gargrave to Skipton
93 -99 miles
Greenberfield to Gargrave
87 - 93 miles
Foulridge to Greenberfield
82-87 miles
