Liverpool & Leeds Canal - Keighley to Leeds (★★★★☆)

This was the second day of a two day walk along the Liverpool & Leeds Canal, having walked from Gargrave to Keighley on the previous day.

I had stayed in Keighley overnight - which I had been a little bit rude about in my last write-up - but heading out of town today, I feel slightly better about the town as I head up to rejoin the canal, stopping off at the shop along the way.

Once back on the canal, it straight back to lovely walking - and for those that have taken my negative comments about Keighley to heart in that previous write-up, please bear in mind that the canal section as it passes through Ribblesden is an enjoyable section.

It is only a very short run from Riddlesden to Bingley - and this stretch has a suburban feel as the route heads on past East Morton.

Heading past Crossflats (in line with East Morton to the side)

This is probably where I now would have stayed if re-doing this walk again - and here you have the choice of the Bradford North Premier Inn, or very slightly off path the Oakwood Hall Hotel. Both look like they would do the job, with the choice dependent on whether you like clinical efficiency or the softer vibes of a family-run hotel. 

Changing the walk to split here, would not really impact distances as the first day was already shorter and as this is only a very short distance on from Keighley. But getting back to the walk today, from here it is a very short run to a large descent at Five Rise Locks.

Five Rise Locks

Doing these locks in a boat looks a bit more challenging than just walking up or down the hill, but there were lockkeepers out already to help any traffic moving through the locks.

But before any canal boaters get too complacent, it is only a short stint to the next - although smaller - flight at Three Rise Locks, where you have old factories lining the river as it heads into Bingley.

One of the old factories at Bingley

From here the canal winds it's way past Bingley, and then crosses over at Dowley Gap - where I take my first rest of the day opposite Hirst Wood.

This is another well kept stretch of the river, and a fellow walker is out in the early morning doing some litter picking to keep it as tidy as humanly possible.

Getting back on with my walk, it is not much further along the canal before the path heads through the Victorian model village of Saltaire.

Salt's Mill, Saltaire

Saltaire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and takes it's name from Sir Titus Salt, who built the mill on the left in the picture Salt's Mill. The mill itself is pretty massive - the pictures give an idea of the size, but don't underestimate just how big it is.

The town itself is an admirable one - it was built to provide better conditions than those in Bradford and was commissioned in 1851 - and seems to have been a genuine effort to improve people's lives. Stone houses were built for the workers, along with wash-houses, bath-houses a hospital, a library, and so on - with endless facilities available for the workers in the mills.

I did not venture out into the town - not wanting to increase the amount of walking done today - but I'm keen to come back and explore more, as the town has a wonderful feel to it as you head through.

Heading out of Saltaire

From Saltaire the route of the canal heads on between Shipley and Baildon - before the countryside starts to reappear as the canal starts to reach the end of these two towns.

Leaving behind Shipley and Baildon

From here the canal passes through flatter countryside that will continue in a fairly similar vein all the way through to Leeds. For me this marks the start of the slightly less exciting section - as I do prefer a route that has a bit more interest on either side - but it remains an attractive canal to walk along.

Initially the path is fairly busy, but it quietens down as the canal meanders on a loop through the countryside - with the path getting busier as it heads through, and out of Appleby Bridge.

Heading into Appleby Bridge

Heading out of Appleby Bridge

From here the path continues to get steadily busier as the path is joined by people heading out for walks from the outskirts of Leeds, with the path getting particularly busy as it passes Horsforth.

A fancy house just before Horsforth

A lock just past Horsforth

From here the same pattern of the canal continues, with the on-going meander through the much flatter lands leading up to Leeds. 

Here on the map the canal is surrounded on all sides by housing, but it somehow manages to retain a very countrysidey feel - all the up until the first glimpses of Leeds in the distance.

First Glimpses of something looking like a city

But even while the feeling of Leeds growing around you steadily increases, it is impressive how well the canal keeps the feelings of being in an urban landscape at bay. At times this can be a slight negative, as you head under quiet and heavily graffiti-ed bridges - but while the path along the canal gets busier as it heads into Leeds, there are sections that turn back time, and surprise you with their historic feel.

Heading past Kirkstall

Finally it gets super-busy as the final stretch starts, just before the Liverpool and Leeds canal joins up with the River Aire - with onward canal navigation continuing on via the River Aire to connect up with the Aire and Calder Navigations that run round to Goole. 

This onward route provides a coast to coast join across the country - although I'm not entirely certain how exciting that route is. The initial section does - however - form part of the Trans Pennine Trail and this I do have on the maybe list for further exploration.

But here, today's walk ends at Granary Wharf - with only a very short walk to the nearby station to head home.

Enjoyment Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ★ / 5

Disclaimer: This writeup provides a narrative of what to expect rather than a route guide to follow. The route is covered by the 104 OS Landranger map (links redirect to Amazon). The route is not way-marked, but you just follow the canal so it is hard to go wrong.