Exploring the Colne Valley
Route facts
Waterways:
Huddersfield Narrow Canal »
Distance: 4 miles / 6.5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Suitable for: Everyone
Starts at: Slaithwaite
Ends at: Standedge Tunnel - or Marsden railway station
A steady climb up the Colne Valley with masses of canal interest and some dramatic scenery.
This easy walk is 4 miles long if you complete the journey to Standedge Tunnel. Walkers who tire before they reach the tunnel can choose to finish at Marsden.
Getting there
Public transport: A rail service is available between Slaithwaite and Marsden, which runs hourly from Monday to Saturday and every two hours on a Sunday. Why not catch the train one way, for as little at £1, and walk back?
Waypoints
1. From Slaithwaite to the Moonraker Tea Room
Above the old lock 23E is the Moonraker Tea Room on a narrow boat, serving light meals, teas and coffees. The name comes from a local story of men caught fishing contraband out of the canal, who claimed they were fishing for the moon.
2. To Marsden
Above here the locks come thick and fast with 19 in the two and a half miles to Marsden. The River Colne flows close to the canal up to the Tunnel End Reservoir and at times you will be walking an embankment between the two. On reaching Lock 42E you can finish your walk as this is alongside the bus stop and railway station in Marsden, but do carry on for the final half mile to the tunnel.
3. Standedge Tunnel
Boat trips into the tunnel at Standedge last about 40 minutes, there are approximately eight trips per day. At weekends and Bank Holidays the Huddersfield Canal Society will be running their water bus, the Marsden Shuttle, from above lock 42 to the Visitors Centre and back.
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