Cycling from Leeds to Stairfoot
Route facts
Waterways:
Aire & Calder Navigation »
Distance: 28.5 miles / 45.6km
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Starts at: Leeds
Ends at: Stairfoot
Enjoy this peaceful cycle route, which goes along the Aire and Calder Navigation and the Barnsley Canal. You will also cycle briefly by the River Calder.
The route follows the well signposted Trans Pennine Trail, making it easy to find your way. It is also part of the National Cycle Network. For more information on the Trans Pennine Trail, call their office on 01226 772574.
Getting there
Parking: There is parking at many points along the route.
Public transport: There are various train stations throughout the route.
Waypoints
1. Leeds to Woodlesford (6.5 miles / 10.4km)
Begin the route at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, a 10 minute walk from the train station. There is a pay and display car park at the museum. You will be cycling along the National Cycle Network route, by the Aire and Calder Navigation. Just under half way along this section you will come to Thwaite Mills Museum, where there is parking for those who would find it easier to begin the route here. Just after the museum is a road bridge with steep steps, so you may need to be careful. Continue along the route by the Aire and Calder until you get to Woodlesford, where there is parking and a train station close by. There are also shops, pubs, cafes, a telephone and a pot office nearby.
2. Woodlesford to Stanley (7.5 miles / 12km)
Carry on along the cycle network, past Mickletown and Methley, along Church Lane and Park Lane. There are two dangerous points on the route near, by the B6135 so cyclists will have to be careful. After this point you will be cycling close to the River Calder and down Bottom Boat Road and Lake Lock Road before arriving in Stanley. Before arriving in Stanley, there is a signal crossing that cyclists are asked to use.
3. Stanely to Cold Hiendley ( 7 3/4 miles / 12.4km)
Continue along the route past Stanley Ferry Marina and by the Aire and Calder Navigation. There is a link road to Wakefield on Doncaster Road, although this is not recommended for cyclists. Stay on the cycle network and turn right onto Shay Lane (B6378) past Walton. Along Sike Lane, you will cross over the Barnsley Canal after which you will be able to take an alternative route to Anglers Country Park and Waterton Countryside Discovery Centre. To get to Cold Hiendley, you will continue along the canal for a short while.
4. Cold Hiendley to Stairfoot (6 3/4 miles to 10.8km)
Cycle along the cycle network, crossing paths with the West Yorkshire Cycle Route on the way. You will be cycling by the Barnsley Canal through Royston, where there are shops, pubs, a post office and telephone. There are a few danger points by the B6428, Church Hill and Shaw Lane. Go down Farfield Lane, along Burton Road and down Lund Lane, over the River Deane, past Monk Bretton Priory and you will arrive in Stairfoot. There is a link route to Barnsley Town Centre where there is a train station, shops, pubs, cafes, toilets, a telephone and a post office.
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