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The Pennine Rings

There are three canal routes across the Pennines between Lancashire and Yorkshire, and three Pennine Rings. Even the shortest ring circling the Rochdale Canal and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal has over 180 locks, a strenuous 2 weeks boating. Include the Leeds and Liverpool and plan for at least 3 weeks.


Hebden Bridge

Hebden Bridge

  • If you are going to hire a boat you will probably hire for 2 weeks to do the the South Pennine Ring, and 3 or 4 weeks for the full Pennine ring. You will also need a fit and eager crew! Some hire firms may offer one way hires which would allow you to do a full ring spread over two holidays.
  • The South Pennine Ring takes the wide locks of the Rochdale Canal up and over the rounded slopes of the Pennine moors to Sowerby Bridge where it joins the Calder and Hebble Navigation. At Cooper Junction the Huddersfield Narrow Canal branches off to the right and takes its short and steep route up and under the moors through Standedge Tunnel on its way to Manchester. Hard work but worth it for the scenery!
  • The full Pennine Ring, sometimes called The Roses Ring, includes a long passage over the hills on the magnificent Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Wigan. From Leeds the Aire and Calder, Huddersfield Broad Canal and the Calder and Hebble take you through east Yorkshire and back towards the Pennines. You then have a choice of routes back into Manchester, either the short but steep Huddersfield Narrow Canal or the wide locked longer Rochdale Canal route.
The Pennine Rings Map

The Pennine Rings – Junctions, locks and lengths

bullet  Rochdale Canal at Castlefields, Manchester, 9 locks, 1.5 miles to …

bullet  Ashton Canal at Ducie Street Junction, 18 locks, 6 miles to …

bullet  Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Dukinfield Junction, 83 locks, 24 miles

bullet  Or Rochdale Canal at Castlefields, 97 locks, 40 miles to …

bullet  Calder & Hebble at Cooper Junction, 13 locks, 12 miles to …

bullet  Aire & Calder at Castleford, 5 locks, 10 miles to …

bullet  Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Leeds, 87 locks, 99 miles to …

bullet  Bridgewater Canal at Leigh – 0 locks, 12 miles to Castlefields

Bingley 5 Rise Locks

Boat Hire from family firms on or around The Pennine Rings

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Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Canal Boat Cruises

On a  Canal Boat Cruises holiday on the Leeds & Liverpool canal there's no rush! Luxury 6 & 8 berth boats based at Riley Green in the idyllic Lancashire country side.

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Calder & Hebble

Shire Cruisers

Shire Cruisers operate from a picturesque basin on the Calder & Hebble Navigation. As well as the interesting Yorkshire waterways you can explore the recently restored Rochdale Canal.

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Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Shire Cruisers

Shire Cruisers Explore the edge of the Dales, starting on the summit of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Carefully looked-after boats and very thorough lock instruction.

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Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Silsden Canal Boat Hire

Anglo Welsh offers unforgettable canal boat holidays along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, with a great choice of narrow and widebeam boats available at Silsden. Cruise west through the Yorkshire countryside, or head east towards Saltaire and Leeds, stopping off at villages, historic market towns and canalside pubs along the way.

More Rings

All materials and images © Canal Junction Ltd. Dalton House, 35 Chester St, Wrexham LL13 8AH. No unauthorised reproduction.

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