Image shared for Marsden to Slaithwaite Canal Walk
Canal / Riverside Out & back

Marsden to Slaithwaite Canal Walk

West Yorkshire

Distance
4.7 mi
Est. time
2h
Difficulty
Easy
Put a date on this walk View route
PaulWalkmates Route by PaulWalkmates

About this walk

Follow the Huddersfield Narrow Canal from Marsden to the western edge of Slaithwaite, returning the same way. Start in the Old Goods Yard car park beside Marsden station and the National Trust information room. Use the pedestrian path and small footbridge to reach the towpath, then turn east towards Slaithwaite.

The waterway descends through a succession of locks, passing old mill buildings, gardens and wooded stretches in the Colne Valley. Keep beside the canal as it bends through the valley. At Upper Mills, where the towpath meets Canal Side on the outskirts of Slaithwaite, turn back for the walk to Marsden.

Allow about two hours for the return walk. The route has recently improved towpath surfaces, but short lock ramps mean it is not completely flat. The car park approach is narrower and less even, and bridges can be slippery in wet weather. Watch children beside the water and share the towpath with cyclists. Marsden has cafes and shops; facilities at the information room depend on opening hours. Check parking charges for a stay over two hours.

Walk details

Walk type
Out & back
Category
Canal / Riverside
Distance
4.7 mi (7.5 km)
Est. time
2h
Explorer
Yes, off the beaten track

Route map

Use the route details to plan your walk

If the map image does not load, the route description and starting-point details are still on this page.

The interactive map will load when you reach this section.

Where to start

Directions to start

Walking on your own?

Start when you're ready and add the walk to your history. No group date needed.

Walk this route on your own

This walk is waiting for a date

Not ready to pick a date? Follow it and you'll hear when somebody else does.

No commitment. You can follow it now and pick a date later.

Joining a walk

A few things to know before you make plans.

Can I join if no one else is going?

You can be the first to join a scheduled walk. A suggested date is an idea for a group walk; choose Set this date up to organise it. Check the participant list and meeting details before setting off.

What if there is no date yet?

Choose Put a date on this walk to organise a group walk. Not ready to choose a day? Follow the route for scheduling updates, or save it for later.

What does the organiser do?

The organiser sets the date and meeting details and helps the group get started. They are a fellow walker and may be new to the route too.

Each walker is responsible for their own safety and navigation. Check the route, weather, equipment and whether the walk suits your experience and fitness.

Can I walk this route on my own?

Yes. Choose Walk this route on your own to open the start screen, then start when you are ready. Finish the walk to add it to your walking history. You do not need a group date.

What happens after I join?

Use the walk page to check meeting details, updates and who is going. Check in from 24 hours before the start to let the group know you still plan to come.

How do I confirm plans with the group?

Check the participant list and check-ins, and message the organiser or other walkers to confirm where to meet and who is coming. This is especially useful when the group is small.