Objective: Cycle from Hebden Bridge over the Pennines on the Rochdale Canal, passing through Todmorden, Littleborough and Rochdale before dropping down into central Manchester, and finishing at Ducie Street Junction. Return by train from Manchester Victoria.
Trip Type: solo cycle
Distance: 28.5 miles
Time to complete: 3.5 hrs, 8.3 mph
Nicholson Guide: Guide 5, pp 188-199
Costs: free parking at Hebden Bridge. Train from Manchester Victoria to Hebden Bridge approx. £6.40 (prices vary)
Difficulty: fair
Adjacent Rides: Greenfield to Piccadilly, Piccadilly to Preston Brook, Marsden to Hebden Bridge
Overview
A fabulous ride on excellent surfaces climbing from the Calder Valley up into the Pennines from Yorkshire to Lancashire. A mixture of barren hills and industrial landscape, finishing near the newly regenerated New Islington Basin in central Manchester. A good choice of pubs between the end of the ride and Manchester Victoria station.
1. Hebden Bridge to Summit (9 miles)
Park for free at Hebden Bridge railway station, HX7 6JE. It says rail users only, but I’m assured by a local nobody ever checks (and anyway you are getting the train back). The car park gets busy so if necessary park on Burnley Road, A646, heading out of Hebden Bridge towards Mytholmroyd.
Join the Rochdale Canal as it passes under Station Road, and head north west into Hebden Bridge. The towpath is of very good quality all the way to Manchester, either metalled or very smooth compacted earth and gravel.
As of Autumn 2024 the towpath is closed for half a mile heading up out of Hebden Bridge, and you will need to take the parallel Halifax Road, A646, until you rejoin at Charlestown.
Continue to Todmorden, with both the main road and railway running alongside the canal. Keep heading onwards and upwards through Walsden and Bottoms to the aptly named Summit, after which you start dropping down again.
2. Summit to New Islington Marina (16.5 miles)
As of Autumn 2024 there are major bridge works at Littleborough. Follow the signs to Todmorden Road, A6033, and take the road into Littleborough. At the T junction turn left under the railway, then right on Canal Street. After 150m you will see the canal on your left and you can rejoin the towpath.
There are a number of cobbled sections here, especially under road bridges, so take care.
At Oldham Road in Rochdale, A671, you emerge onto the road by the lock. Cross the road and turn right, then left and across the old pedestrian bridge before rejoining the towpath on the left side of the canal.
At Edinburgh Way, A664, turn left and use the crossing, which is signposted. Bear right at the BMW garage, then right again down Gorrels Way back to the canal. Continue under the M62.
After passing under Broadway, A663 you are alongside the M60. Head up the ramp and turn right across the pedestrian bridge over the motorway. Once over the bridge turn left down the slope to Semple Way. Once you reach this road the path immediately veers off to the right back to the canal. Continue on the long straight sections into central Manchester.
3. New Islington Marina to Victoria Station (1 mile)
When you reach New Islington Marina turn left and go along it’s length to the Ashton Canal. Turn right over the footbridge and wend your way along the remainder of the canal to Ducie Street Junction (this ensures you complete the last bit you missed when doing the Greenfield to Piccadilly ride). You will need to walk the last cobbled section. Turn right at the junction and after 100m on your right are shallow steps by benches and trees. Head up the steps and along the path to Ducie Street.
Work your way back to Victoria Station via a pub of your choice. Mine was the excellent Port Street Beer House: turn left on Ducie Street, left on Peak Street, left on Tariff Street, then right on Brewer Street. The Beer House is at the end right in front of you.
Navigating back to Manchester Victoria is a bit tricky, not just because you’ve had a couple, but also because there are a lot of one-way streets, pedestrianised sections and tram lines to cross. Trains back to Hebden Bridge are frequent, from £5.20 (prices vary).