The Pub Crawl for Craft Beer Lovers – Introducing The Kirkstall Canal Ale Trail

Swap the Otley Run for a scenic stroll along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, with eight brilliant pubs, brewery taprooms and great beer along the way.

Leeds has no shortage of great pubs. You’ll find historic boozers, brewery taprooms and top-tier ale all over the city, but if you want to combine a scenic walk with some of Leeds’ best places for a pint, the Kirkstall Canal Ale Trail is well worth adding to your weekend plans.

Beginning in the city centre before heading out towards Kirkstall, the trail links eight fantastic venues with waterside views, quality food and plenty of expertly poured beer to enjoy along the way.

Here’s everything you need to know about tackling the Kirkstall Canal Ale Trail, including where to stop, what to order and how to make the most of your day.

Kirkstall Canal Ale Trail: At a glance

• Distance: Approximately 7.5 to 8 km (4.7 to 5 miles).
• Walking time: Around 1 hour 45 minutes (excluding pub stops).
• Allow: 5 to 7 hours to enjoy food, drinks and the walk.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Terrain: Mostly flat canal towpath with a few short sections on pavements and roads.

Where to stop along the Kirkstall Canal Ale Trail

The Kirkstall Canal Ale Trail is made up of eight of Leeds’ best pubs, pairing brewery-fresh beer with homemade food and scenic canal views. Tackle the whole route in one afternoon or cherry-pick your favourites – either way, it’s one of the best ways to spend a Saturday afternoon in Leeds.

Brewery Wharf Tavern

There are two ways to tackle the trail – start in the city centre and head out towards Kirkstall, or begin in Kirkstall and make your way into the city. If you’re starting in the centre, your first stop is Brewery Wharf Tavern. The latest venture from the team behind Whitelock’s, this stylish alehouse is home to one of the best waterside terraces in Leeds, making it the perfect place to enjoy your first pint of the day.

With 14 keg taps and four hand-pulls, there’s no shortage of choice. A crisp Veltins Pülleken Helles is a popular pick, while Allsopp’s Double Diamond offers a lighter, easy-drinking alternative with plenty of heritage. If you’re feeling peckish, order one of the pizzas or a few bar snacks to share before continuing along the trail.

Where? Brewery Wharf Tavern, Tetley’s Brewery Wharf, 3 Brewery Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1NE.
Order this: Pülleken Helles or Double Diamond.

The Tetley

Just a few minutes’ walk away sits The Tetley, one of Leeds’ most recognisable brewing landmarks. Now owned by Kirkstall Brewery, the historic venue has been transformed into a tribute to the history of brewing, adorned with retro pub signs and memorabilia.

You can stick with tradition and order a Tetley’s, or choose from a stacked lineup of Kirkstall ales. Our pick? A pint of Dissolution – hoppy with a lasting citrus flavour. Fancy a bite? The black pudding scotch egg is the ultimate bar snack.

Where? The Tetley, Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ.
Order this: Dissolution.

The Adelphi

Your next step is The Adelphi. Dating back to the 19th century, this grand Victorian pub is a firm favourite on the Leeds beer scene. Take a moment to admire the interiors, where ornate timber panelling, carved screens and gleaming brass fittings transport you back to the golden age of the great British pub.

Behind the bar, you’ll find everything from crisp lagers to refreshing wheat beers, alongside a well-kept selection of cask ales and guest brews. It’s hard to look beyond a pint of Leeds Pale, which pairs perfectly with a portion of beef shin croquettes.

Where? The Adelphi, 1–3 Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ.
Order this: Leeds Pale.

Water Lane Boathouse

From The Adelphi, it’s around a 10-minute walk to Water Lane Boathouse – the fourth stop on the trail. Perched on the waterfront beside Leeds Station and Granary Wharf, it’s an ideal place to pause for a pint before heading west along the canal.

With a sprawling beer terrace beside the water, our pick would be a refreshing pint of Radler – a beer-lemonade blend with an easy-drinking 2.8% ABV. If cask is more your thing, see what’s pouring as part of the Kirkstall Cask Club. Feeling peckish? The slow-proved sourdough pizzas are made fresh throughout the day, making them an ideal way to line your stomach before the next stop.

Where? Water Lane Boathouse, Canal Wharf, Holbeck, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5PS.
Order this: Radler or the latest Kirkstall Cask Club pour.

Galleria

The next leg is the first long stretch of the trail, taking you west along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal for around 20 minutes before a short detour brings you to Galleria at Project House. Once a tile warehouse, it’s now one of Leeds’ most exciting cultural venues, hosting everything from live music and comedy to street food pop-ups and community events.

There’s loads of space to settle in, both indoors and out, while the Galleria menu makes this an excellent place to stop if you haven’t already eaten. We love the Cubano flatbread, stuffed with pork belly, cheese, mustard mayo and pickles. As for your drink? It’s Virtuous all the way.

Where? Galleria, Armley Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 2DR.
Order this: Virtuous.

Kirkstall Brewery Taproom

From Galleria, it’s just over a 15-minute walk to Kirkstall Brewery Taproom & Kitchen. Sitting alongside the brewery itself, there’s no better place to enjoy a brewery-fresh pint straight from the source.

With the full Kirkstall range on offer, there’s plenty to choose from. While you can’t go wrong with one of the classics, this is the perfect place to branch out. The ever-changing Small Batch Series showcases experimental brews and limited releases, so there’s almost always something new to discover. If you’re feeling hungry, the pizzas are well worth a look too.

Where? Kirkstall Brewery Taproom & Kitchen, 100 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1HJ.
Order this: Whatever’s pouring from the Small Batch Series.

Cardigan Arms

We’re firmly into cosy pub territory now. Continue along Kirkstall Road for around 15 minutes and you’ll reach the Cardigan Arms – a beautifully restored Victorian pub in the heart of Burley. Step inside and you’ll find dark wood panelling, etched-glass windows and a maze of intimate rooms that make it one of Leeds’ most atmospheric pubs.

The bar pours a host of Kirkstall Brewery favourites alongside rotating guest beers from the likes of Five Points and Sierra Nevada. With around a mile still to go before the finish line, now’s a good time to refuel. The salt & pepper loaded chips are a must if you’re feeling peckish.

Where? Cardigan Arms, 364 Kirkstall Road, Burley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2HQ.
Order this: Three Swords.

Kirkstall Bridge Inn

Congratulations – you’ve made it. After around 8km of walking and eight brilliant pubs, you’ve completed the Kirkstall Canal Ale Trail. Your reward awaits on the banks of the River Aire at Kirkstall Bridge Inn. With its scenic riverside beer garden and retro interiors, it’s one of Leeds’ best-loved pubs – and for good reason.

What better way to celebrate than with one final pint? We’d go for a Judicious – a crisp, fruity pale ale that’s perfect for rounding off the day. If you’re still hungry, the chicken wings tossed in Dissolution hot sauce make a fitting final order before heading home.

Where? Kirkstall Bridge Inn, 12 Bridge Road, Kirkstall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3BW.
Order this: Judicious.

Tips for planning your Canal Ale Trail

Allow plenty of time: The trail covers around 8km and takes around an hour and 45 minutes to walk, but with food, drinks and eight stops to hit, it’s best enjoyed over five to seven hours.

Getting there: Start at Brewery Wharf Tavern in the city centre, or begin at Kirkstall Bridge Inn and catch a train back from Headingley or Burley Park.

Pace yourself: Eight pubs doesn’t mean eight pints. Many venues offer thirds, halves and tasting paddles, making it easy to sample more beers without overdoing it.

Don’t skip the food: From pizzas and burgers to loaded fries and flatbreads, there are loads of opportunities to eat along the way. A few food stops will make the trail much more enjoyable.

Pick a good day: The canal is at its best in spring and summer, but the trail works year-round. Just bring waterproofs in case the Yorkshire weather has other ideas.

Bringing the dog?: Several of the pubs on the trail are dog-friendly, though it’s worth checking individual venue policies before you set off.

Cover image © Copyright Leeds-List 2026. Map for illustrative purposes only. It's recommended to use a navigation app and follow local signage when walking the route.