The Rochdale Canal is more than just a waterway; it’s a living museum that threads through the history and landscape of the North West. The walk along the stretch between Bridge 49 and Lock 47 near Littleborough offered a beautiful blend of industrial heritage, tranquil nature, and the undeniable charm of a canal in its prime.
This particular section, where Greater Manchester meets West Yorkshire, captures the canal at its most picturesque. It’s a route that invites reflection on the engineering ambition of the past and the serene beauty of the present.
The Path Less Travelled: Greenery and Grandeur
The towpath itself, a wide and well-maintained track of gravel, is an absolute delight for walkers, cyclists, and runners. It’s a corridor of green, often bordered by lush ferns and a thick canopy of trees that dapples the water with shifting patterns of light and shadow.
In several spots, the canal feels completely remote, surrounded only by tall grasses and dense foliage . The only sound is the gentle ripple of the water and the occasional bird call. The contrast between this peaceful, overgrown environment and the canal’s original purpose—a bustling highway for the Industrial Revolution—is striking. You might even spot some local wildlife, like a Canada goose serenely gliding across the dark water, reminding you that nature has well and truly reclaimed this corridor.
Engineering Echoes: Bridges and Locks
The journey between Bridge 49 and Lock 47 is punctuated by powerful examples of Victorian canal architecture.
Bridge 49: The Archway of Light
Passing under Bridge 49 offers one of the most atmospheric views of the walk. The classic, low-slung stone arch frames the water perfectly, creating a dark, cool passage before you emerge into the bright, open canal view on the other side. The stonework, weathered and marked by moss, speaks to centuries of resilience.
Lock 47: The Heart of the Waterway
Further on, the presence of Lock 47 announces the shift in elevation that makes this canal such an engineering feat. The Rochdale Canal is known as the highest canal in the country, and its 92 locks are the mechanism that allows it to cross the Pennines.
Approaching the lock, you’re often greeted by the charming sight of traditional narrowboats moored nearby, their bright colours providing a splash of contrast against the green banks . The lock chamber itself is a fascinating, moss-covered chamber of stone and wood, showcasing the immense wooden gates that hold back the water.
In the background, solid, historic stone buildings stand watch, often converted from their original industrial uses, giving a glimpse into the thriving communities that grew up around these vital transport links.
A Moment of History in Littleborough
This stretch, near the Greater Manchester town of Littleborough, is particularly significant as it sits on the Pennine summit section of the canal.
Commissioned in 1794, the Rochdale Canal was the first of the three trans-Pennine canals to be completed, acting as a crucial link between the manufacturing heartlands of Manchester and the port of Sowerby Bridge (where it connected to the Calder and Hebble Navigation). Its success was pivotal, allowing raw materials like cotton and wool to be transported efficiently.
Today, after a long period of decline and an incredible restoration effort in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the canal is fully navigable again, allowing leisure boats to make the famous journey over the backbone of England.
Ready for Your Own Walk?
If you’re looking for a peaceful escape that combines easy walking with stunning historic scenery, the Rochdale Canal near Littleborough is highly recommended. The accessible towpaths make it perfect for a leisurely afternoon ramble, offering endless photographic opportunities of its rugged stone structures and beautiful waterscapes. Pack your camera and your walking shoes, and step back into a forgotten age of industrial majesty.
I took this set of pictures on the 26th May 2014 with a Polaroid is2132, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.
