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Llangollen Canal to Pontcysylte Aqueduct

Route facts

Waterways:
Llangollen Canal »

Distance: 3.98 miles / 6.4 km

Difficulty: Easy

Starts at: Llangollen

Ends at: Pontyscyllte

A flat canal, tow path cycle route which takes you from the beautiful welsh tourist town of Llangollen to the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

This route is not recommended for road bikes as the tow path is mainly a crushed gravel surface with some tarmac stretches along the way. Make sure you take care when cycling near water and give way to pedestrians.

Llangollen is a beautiful welsh tourist town standing on The River Dee with Castell Dinas Bran standing high above the town. The bridge in the centre of the town which crosses the River Dee was built in 1345. Llangollen also has a fantastic steam railway which runs daily in the holiday season up and down the banks of The River Dee. There are plenty of establishments to get refreshments at Llangollen and a shop, café and pub at the pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

This cycle route has been provided by www.cycleroutesuk.com. Visit their site for more cycle routes and cycling inspiration.

 

Waypoints

1. Start - Llangollen

Start from Heoll y Castell (the main high street in the town).

Easting: 321377, Northing: 342311

2. Llangollen to the Wharf Hill

Cycle across the bridge away from the main town centre and at the end of the bridge turn right on to Mill Street and after 50 yards turn left up Wharf Hill, which is a very short steep hill. You might like to walk this short section.

At the top of the hill you will see the canal with the canal cruise office/shop in front of you. When you reach the canal turn right along the tow path away from the canal cruise shop and cycle along the towpath under the bridge and along the right hand bank of the canal.

Easting: 321619, Northing: 342217

3. Wharf Hill to Pontyscyllte

After 100 yards you will be cycling along the tow path past a wooded area and soon you will be cycling out in the open country side along the canal which roughly follows the route of The River Dee as it meanders along its way, which is over on your right hand side. You will pass under several bridges as you cycle along the canal and you can enjoy the fantastic scenic views of welsh valley as you continue on your journey.

After about four miles you will reach Pontcysylite and as you cycle round the bends on the canal you will come out at the canal basin by the aqueduct where you will find a caf�??�?�©,shop and pub for refreshments.

Cross over the bridge to the other side of the canal and cycle across the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Pontcysylite Aqueduct which is now a world heritage site was built in 1805 by Thomas Telford is 1,007 ft long, and 126 ft high and you can enjoy some fantastic view from the aqueduct of the surrounding area.

Easting: 327041, Northing: 342036