Updated on 21st March 2024

7 of the Best Canal Walks in West Yorkshire

Take your next walk along West Yorkshire’s canals.

Written on Yorkshire Updated on 21st March 2024

Fancy a waterside wander for your next ramble? It’s time to head out on picture-perfect canal walks around West Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire is full of wonderful walks, but this set will take you on some our favourite wanders along the region’s beautiful canals. You’ll get the best of both worlds, with a picturesque mix of scenic waterways and stunning countryside. Take in the views, enjoy the peacefulness and keep an eye out for the wildlife that calls these canals home as you complete these seven walks.

Hebden Bridge and Rochdale Canal Circular

The Rochdale Canal at Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire

Calderdale is the location for this ever popular 8.7-mile route that’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful canal walks in West Yorkshire. It kicks off in Hebden Bridge, taking you up from the winding valley floor paths past Hebble End and up to reach the always impressive Stoodley Pike – this monument is one of our favourite places to stop on the route, dating back to 1854 and commemorating the defeat of Napoleon’s armies at the Battle of Leipzig. You’ll enjoy special views from the top, before crossing moorland to reach the Rochdale Canal – the last three miles are along the water, promising wildlife, canal-side greenery and colourful narrowboats.

The walk starts at Hebden Bridge Visitor and Canal Centre, 1 New Road, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 8AD. Check out the route.

The Five Rise Locks Walk

The Five Rise Locks Bingley

The Five Rise Locks Walk is one of the best canal walks in West Yorkshire, there’s no doubt about it. It’s family-friendly too, clocking in at just 2.1-miles along easygoing paths. It’s named after and is centred around one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Kicking off at Bingley Station, you’ll cross the bypass to reach the canal towpath. Keep your eyes out for local wildlife – we’ve spotted geese and water hens in the past – as you head over to the Three Rise Locks, over to the North Bog before reaching the Five Rise Locks. This feat of engineering is a real sight to behold, so enjoy the views like we did before you carry on back into Bingley.

The walk starts at Bingley Railway Station, Wellington Street, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 2NA. Check out the route.

The Colne Valley Canal Walk

Standedge Tunnel and Visitors Centre on a sunny day

It might be 8-miles-long but there are no hills to climb on the Colne Valley Canal Walk, just easygoing towpaths that lead you past industrial relics and through glorious countryside. It starts at Aspley Marina, before you take the Huddersfield Broad Canal towpath to Milnsbridge. Crossing the weir over the canal as it flows across the River Colne will bring you to Titanic Mills before you reach Slaithwaite and walk along the Sparth Reservoir. The views over Marsden and the hills beyond are some of our favourites in the region, but you’ll have to peel yourself away to reach the finish at Standedge Tunnel – the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain.

The walk starts at St Andrew’s Road, Aspley Basin, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 6SD. Check out the route.

The Calder & Hebble Navigation Canal Walk

Sowerby Bridge Canal

We love this wander from Sowerby Bridge to Brighouse, as it leads along a section of the Calder and Hebble Navigation – there’s no doubt it’s one of the best canal walks in West Yorkshire. You’ll begin in the picturesque market town before making your way over to Copley, which offers up incredible views over the Calder Valley as the backdrop. It’s north from there as you head over to Halifax, before going on a meander through Elland Park Wood and finish up by passing Brookfoot Ski Lake into Brighouse. Want to extend the walk? Of course you do! We had a great time exploring the extra two miles to Mirfield by Bradley Park and the Kirklees Cut.

The walk starts at Sowerby Bridge Station, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 3AF. Check out the route.

The Leeds Canal Walk

Leeds Liverpool Canal

This one is a stone-cold classic. It’s 13-miles-long, so not for the fainthearted, but the Leeds Canal Walk is a thoroughly rewarding adventure through West Yorkshire we’ve done time and again – it must be good, right? Head to Leeds Station for your starting point, before joining the towpath that takes you past a series of local landmarks including Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve, Kirkstall Abbey and Bramley Hall Park. Then it’s onto Rodley Nature Reserve, Calverley Woods and Buck Wood. You’ll even pass the old industrial mills of Shipley before you end in Saltaire, the perfect place to rest as you explore the wonders of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The walk starts at Leeds Station, New Station Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4DY. Check out the route.

The Aire and Calder Navigation Walk

The Aire and Calder Navigation in Yorkshire at sunset

How does history and natural beauty sound to you? Great? Good! Because this wander along The Aire and Calder Navigation between Leeds and Wakefield is a belter. It’s 10-miles-long and takes a circular route to bring you back to the start – easy peasy! Start from Thwaite Mills, and head east past St Aidan’s RSPB Reserve, perhaps spotting rare birds as you go. The towpaths take you into Methley before you head back into nature with stops at Rothwell Country Park, Kippax Linesway and Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve. More wildlife awaits here – keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, cormorants and terns, before reaching your turning point back to the start at Mickletown.

The walk starts at Thwaite Mills, Thwaite Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1RP. Check out the route.

The Woodlesford Lock Circular

The Aire and Calder Navigation in Yorkshire at sunset

If you’re in need of a quick, family-friendly canal walk in West Yorkshire, the Woodlesford Lock Circular is ready and waiting for you. It’s just 1.8-miles-long and follows well-kept towpaths, so it’s perfect for little ones, beginners and the elderly alike. You’ll start on Bullough Lane, right next to the lock itself, heading west towards Rothwell Country Park, The Goit lake and Fishpond Lock – any of these are great for a mid-walk break to appreciate the views. Next, you’ll cross over to the other side of the Aire and Calder Navigation to join the towpath that will take you right back to the start at Woodlesford Lock.

The Woodlesford Lock Circular starts at Woodlesford Lock, Swillington, West Yorkshire, LS26 8PJ. Check out the route.

Cover image credit: Canal and River Trust
Image of Joseph Sheerin
Joseph Sheerin Senior Writer

Joseph was one of the longest-serving members of the Leeds-List team. He’s lived in Leeds for 15 years and knows the city like the back of his hand. From restaurants to gig venues, walking routes to coffee shops, he’s been there, done that and written about the experience.

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