Rochdale Canal

The Rochdale Canal passes through the centre of Todmorden on its way across the Pennines, and the restored towpath offers one of the most enjoyable walks in the area. Heading east to Hebden Bridge takes about three hours on foot — the path is mostly flat and runs through a steep wooded valley with a series of lock flights and stone bridges.

Narrowboats are a regular sight through the summer season, and the canal basin in town has a small wharf area that makes a pleasant spot to sit. The Rochdale Canal Society runs events and guided walks, and there is a waterway information board near the town hall.

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A story
When the Rochdale Canal opened in 1804 it was the first waterway to cross the Pennines using a through route, beating rivals by the boldness of its approach: rather than boring long tunnels, the engineers simply climbed over the hills with 91 locks in just under 33 miles. The canal fell derelict in the mid-20th century and was fully restored and reopened to navigation only in 2002.