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 of 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. We’ve arranged it in order of walk length, so if you’re looking for a shorter walk, start at the beginning. If it’s a hike you’re after, you’ll find them nearer the end.
Quick picks: canal walks in West Yorkshire
The Woodlesford Lock Circular
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.
Start point: Woodlesford Lock – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 1.8 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Know before you go: If you fancy a beer and a bite to eat after your walk, the Two Pointers is a lovely dog-friendly pub that’s a 10-minute walk from the lock.
Route: Check out the route.
The Five Rise Locks Walk
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.
Start point: Bingley Railway Station – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 2.1 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Know before you go: The Five Rise Locks are the steepest staircase locks in Britain, lowering boats 60 feet in a single continuous flight over a distance of just 320 feet.
Route: Check out the route.
The Calder & Hebble Navigation Canal Walk
Credit: SmoilsD licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use.
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.
Start point: Sowerby Bridge Station – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 5.6 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Know before you go: You can park for free at Sowerby Bridge Station, but it’s best to get there early as spaces fill up.
Route: Check out the route.
The Colne Valley Canal Walk
Credit: Canal & River Trust
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.
Start point: St Andrew’s Road – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 8 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Know before you go: You can take a tour of Standedge Tunnel, joining experts from The Canal & River Trust on a truly unique boat trip.
Route: Check out the route.
The Aire and Calder Navigation Walk
Combining peaceful towpaths with nature reserves and industrial heritage, this wander along the Aire and Calder Navigation is one of the best canal walks in West Yorkshire. The circular route follows a quieter stretch of south-east Leeds, taking you through waterside scenery, open countryside and wildlife-rich reserves.
Starting from the canal access near Thwaite Watermill on Thwaite Lane, you’ll head east past St Aidan’s Nature Reserve, where you might spot everything from herons to kestrels as you follow the canal. The route continues through Methley before weaving back towards Rothwell Country Park, Kippax Linesway and Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve. Keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, cormorants and terns as you make your way back towards the starting point.
Start point: Thwaite Lane canal access, near Thwaite Watermill – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 8.7 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Know before you go: Thwaite Watermill is closed to the public, so don’t rely on the museum car park or facilities. Limited roadside parking may be available nearby, but check restrictions before setting off.
Route: Check out the route.
Hebden Bridge and Rochdale Canal Circular
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.
Start point: Hebden Bridge Visitor and Canal Centre – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 8.7 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Know before you go: You’ll find plenty of pubs to reward yourself with when you land back in Hebden Bridge, but Stubbing Wharf on the canal towpath gets our vote for location alone.
Route: Check out the route.
The Leeds Canal Walk
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.
Start point: Leeds Station – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 13 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Know before you go: Thanks to the flat towpaths, this route is also popular with cyclists. If you’d rather explore on two wheels, you can comfortably tackle the full stretch in a couple of hours with stops along the way. You can find more cycling inspiration here.
Route: Check out the route.
