GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Bridgewater Canal Way Walk

38 miles (61 km)

A walk along the Bridgewater canal, through Cheshire, Greater Manchester and on into Lancashire. The route passes Salford, Trafford, Altrincham, Manchester, Warrington and Halton.
Along the way you'll pass a series of nice parks including Dunham Massey, Worsley Woods and Sale Water Park.
The path also forms part of the longer Cheshire Ring Canal Walk which follows six historic canals through Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire. 
When complete the Bridgewater Way will also be open to cyclists.

Please click here for more information

Bridgewater Way OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Bridgewater Way Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

On the route there's lots of good options for a pit stop. In Lymm you could stop off at the Golden Fleece which has a large canalside beer garden. It's a lovely place to sit and watch the boats go by on a summer day. You can find them at a postcode of WA13 0HR.
In Warrington The Barn Owl Inn also has a garden right on the banks of the canal. The dog friendly pub can be found at postcode WA13 0SW for your sat navs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Near Runcorn you'll find the worthy village of Daresbury. The village is notable as the birthplace of of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll who was born there in 1832. It includes the Lewis Carroll visitor centre where you can learn all about his life and try the 'Lewis Carroll's Boyhood Walk' which runs from Daresbury church to the site of the parsonage, passing through fields and lanes that the young Carroll would have known. It's well worth taking a small detour east from the canal to explore the village.

Photos

Canal Basin on Bridgewater Canal, Runcorn - geograph.org.uk - 650200

Canal Basin on Bridgewater Canal, Runcorn

Bridgewater Canal - geograph.org.uk - 44852

This is the view ESE from SJ715866 looking along the Bridgewater Canal. The picture was ataken from Agden Bridge.

Bridgewater Canal - geograph.org.uk - 55608

A view to the southeast from the East Lancashire Road. Beyond the canal, on the horizon, the buildings of Manchester city centre can just be made out. .

Bridgewater Canal - geograph.org.uk - 55609

A view to the northwest from the East Lancashire Road. The mill and chimneys in the distance are located in the town of Leigh. 

Bridgewater Canal - geograph.org.uk - 1749769

Seen from Marsland Bridge, Brooklands.

M6 crossing the Bridgewater Canal - geograph.org.uk - 533718

M6 crossing the Bridgewater Canal West of Lymm the M6 crosses the Bridgewater Canal. Because of nearby houses the wooden fence aims to minimise the noise from the motorway. If it all becomes too much, narrowboat Dolly is at the bottom of the garden for a quick and peaceful get-away.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Bridgewater Way.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Bridgewater Way.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)