Huddersfield to Marsden Canal Walk
The Huddersfield to Marsden Canal Walk is a scenic and historically rich route following the Huddersfield Narrow Canal west through the Colne Valley to the village of Marsden. Starting near the canal basin in Huddersfield, the walk takes you along a key section of this early 19th-century waterway, which was originally built to transport goods across the Pennines via the Standedge Tunnel, the longest canal tunnel in Britain.
Leaving Huddersfield, the walk heads into the Colne Valley, passing a series of restored stone bridges, historic locks, and mills that tell the story of the area's industrial past. Many of these mills have been repurposed, while the canal itself has been carefully restored to provide a continuous towpath popular with both walkers and cyclists. The route passes through the villages of Milnsbridge and Linthwaite, where the landscape is shaped by the legacy of the woollen industry, with weavers' cottages, stone terraces, and old factory buildings still visible along the way.
Further along, the canal leads you to Slaithwaite, a village known for its active canal side and community spirit. Here, the canal runs through the centre of the village, with working locks and pleasant places to stop for refreshments. The route continues to wind westwards past the scenic Colne Valley countryside, with regular views of the surrounding hills and the River Colne running nearby.
The final stretch from Slaithwaite to Marsden is quieter and takes you deeper into the valley, where the path becomes more rural with occasional stone bridges and open sections with views towards the moorland beyond. The approach to Marsden is particularly scenic, and the village itself is a key point on the canal, sitting near the entrance to the Standedge Tunnel. The tunnel is a major engineering achievement of the canal age and is now open for guided boat trips and visits. Marsden is a good place to finish the walk, with its canal heritage, local shops, and connections to the surrounding Pennine countryside. The full walk from Huddersfield to Marsden is around 6.2 miles and offers a fascinating mix of industrial heritage, village charm, and natural scenery.
Huddersfield to Marsden Canal Walk Ordnance Survey Map 
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Huddersfield to Marsden Canal Walk Open Street Map 
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Huddersfield to Marsden Canal Walk OS Map 
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Huddersfield to Marsden Canal Walk Open Street Map 
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Photos
Huddersfield Narrow Canal towards lock #28E
Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Marsden