Rochdale Canal

About Rochdale Canal

The Rochdale Canal runs from the Bridgewater Canal at Castlefield Junction in Manchester to the Calder and Hebble Navigation at Sowerby Bridge.

It is 51.5 km (32 mi) long and has 91 locks. A short arm into Rochdale itself has now been closed and filled.

The Rochdale Canal is part of the Cheshire, North and South Pennine Rings. It’s extremely popular with leisure boaters as it not only crosses the Pennines, linking it with canals in the north-east, but also crosses over the hills, rather than tunnelling through them. This inevitably means more hard work in terms of working locks, but the rewards are far superior scenery en route.

There are often navigation restrictions at points along the canal, so it is always worth checking in advance on the British Waterways website before setting out by boat. It’s possible to walk along the towpath for much of the way, except for a few minor diversions.

Cycling and fishing along the towpath are also allowed.