The Rochdale Canal runs very close to my office (not that I’ve seen much of it since March), and I’ve taken advantage of this on a number of occasions to stroll along the towpath between Rochdale and Littleborough - but never any further. As I’m sticking by the guidance and not travelling to a tier two area, a sunny December Saturday was a fine opportunity to explore! Here’s what I saw in 15 photographs…
On joining the canal at Todmorden, the enormous railway retaining wall fills the view. I’m not sure how well this translates into a photograph but it is a mightily impressive structure and just highlights what a challenge it must have been to build first a canal and then a railway over this section of the Pennines. The railway opened on New Year’s Eve 1840, part of what was then known as the Manchester and Leeds Railway and later became the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.
Between locks 21 and 22, the canal passes under the Grade II listed Gauxholme railway viaduct, whose striking design is courtesy of George Stephenson. The central span is currently covered by tarpaulin as it receives a multi-million pound refurbishment but the lovely castellated towers are still clearly visible.
At Walsden the canal runs parallel with Walsden Water, a tributary of the River Calder and historically the county boundary between Lancashire and Yorkshire.
The Rochdale Canal in Walsden, with the impressive Church of St Peter in the background.
The valley never feels truly rural. The road and railway are both never far away (except for when the trains dive into Summit Tunnel) and there are homes and industry along most of the route. Nonetheless as the canal climbs towards Summit, it does start to feel a little more rural. This is the view from Lightbank Lock (31).
One horse, two horses…
Warland Lower Lock (34), approaching the modern-day border between Calderdale and Rochdale.
Longlees lock (36) - the start of the Rochdale Canal summit section - the highest section of broad canal in the country. Only the Huddersfield Narrow Canal further east in the Pennines climbs higher. I love the rust-coloured reflection in the canal water.
A very different sort of Summit selfie to the usual! Should have shaved before I set out…
West Summit lock (37) - the southern end of the summit section. Sadly the coronavirus restrictions meant that a pit stop at the Summit pub was not possible - I am told it is well worth a visit.
Looking back towards Summit from an overflowing Lock 39.
Rock Nook Mill. The mill has been derelict for many years and suffered severe fire damage in 2015.
A bright day but some snow still visible on higher ground east of Littleborough.
Nearing the end of the walk, this bridge carries Ealees Road over the canal and into the centre of Littleborough. I was really pleased with how I captured the sunbeams in this shot.
End of the walk - Littleborough railway station is conveniently adjacent to the canal.