A Waterside Walk in the North West
Route facts
Waterways:
Caldon Canal »
Macclesfield Canal »
Trent & Mersey Canal »
Distance: 31 miles / 50 km
Duration: One or two days
Starts at: Barnfields
Ends at: Macclesfield
A long-distance walk following some of the country's most scenic waterways.
The towpath on each of the canals throughout the walk are in generally good condition, but as these are rural waterways, you may sometimes encounter muddy sections in wet weather.
Waypoints
1. Churnet Aqueduct
The route begins at the disused Churnet Aqueduct in Barnfields, at the end of the Leek Branch of the Caldon Canal. Walk west along the towpath, passing Leek Tunnel and Horse Bridge before arriving at Hazelhurst Aqueduct in Denford. In south east Denford, you will find Deep Hayes Country Park, a mixture of woods and meadows, which offers a number of self guided walks from its Visitor Centre. (Length of section: 3 miles / 4.8km)
2. Hazlehurst Aqueduct
From Hazlehurst Aqueduct, you will be on the main line of the Caldon Canal, still heading west. There is a pub close by if you want to stop for some refreshments before starting on the second leg of the walk. Continue along the towpath, passing a number of bridges and Stockton Brook, where there is a pub nearby, before arriving at Milton. Just by Milton Bridge is a pub if you need a break and something to drink. (Length of section: 5 miles / 8km)
3. Milton
From Milton, continue along the towpath of the Caldon Canal. The canal is heading south at this point and you will again pass a number of bridges before arriving at you destination. At the end of this section, there are a couple of pubs and also a shop if you need to get some food for the rest of the walk. The locks are just before the Caldon Canal meets the Trent & Mersey Canal. (Length of section: 4 miles / 6.4km)
4. Etruria Staircase Locks
From the staircase locks, you will continue the short distance until the canal meets the Trent & Mersey Canal. Once you have met the Trent & Mersey Canal, you need to turn right along it. This will mean originally turning left, then crossing over bridge 40 so that you can walk along the towpath. Walk along the towpath until bridge 17, which you will need to cross so that you can walk along the towpath on the opposite side of the canal. Just before you reach Longport Hayes, you will pass Middleport and Longport, in between which are two pubs. (Length of section: 3 miles / 4.8km)
5. Longport Hayes
About a mile along the canal from Longport Hayes, there is the Harecastle Tunnel. You can cross over the tunnel by following minor roads in the direction of the canal, including Boathorse Road, which was the route originally taken by towing horses while boats were 'legged' through. Just after the tunnel are a number of pubs and some shops. It is only a short distance from here to Red Bull Aqueduct and the start of the Macclesfield Canal. (Length of section: 1.5 miles / 2.4km)
6. Red Bull / Hardings Wood Junction
Turn up the Macclesfield Canal, passing Red Bull Aqueduct. Just before you get to Kent Green Bridge, you will pass a swing bridge. There is a pub just by your destination. (Length of section: 2 miles / 3.2km)
7. Kent Green Bridge
Continue along the canal towpath and you will come into Congleton. There are a number of pubs in this peaceful market town which you will pass before arriving at Galley Bridge. (Length of section: 4 miles / 6.4km)
8. Galley Bridge
From Galley Bridge, continue walking along the towpath. The area is quite open and you will no doubt enjoy peaceful surroundings as you make your way to Oakgrove. There is the Royal Oak Swing Bridge as you arrive and also a pub to enjoy. (Length of section: 6.5 miles / 10.4km)
9. Oakgrove
It is not too far along the towpath from Oakgrove to the centre of Macclesfield along the canal. (Length of section: 2.5 miles / 4 km)
10. Macclesfield
This is the end of your walk - congratulations. You can return from Macclesfield to Leek by bus, catching bus service 99 or 108 from the town centre bus station.
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