Gargrave to Burnley canal walk (LLC#3)
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This linear walk from Gargrave to Burnley follows a peaceful stretch of the 204km (127.25 miles) Leeds & Liverpool Canal, which opened in 1816 after more than 40 years of construction.
This is Stage 3 of 8 which will span the full length of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Our walk starts in Gargrave, a village on the outskirts of Skipton in North Yorkshire, before quickly escaping to the tranquillity of the countryside. The route threads through quiet rural stretches and occasional villages, offering views of rolling hills, stone bridges, and narrowboats
As we approach Burnley, the scenery shifts to more urban-industrial, with remnants of the canal’s 19th-century engineering still visible.
It’s a walk that blends industrial heritage with natural beauty, perfect for an OutdoorLads walk and a closer look at the lasting heritage of Yorkshire’s past.
We'll need to take buses or trains back to the start of the walk. Please read the Return Journey section below.
Stage 1: Leeds to Bingley - 30 Aug 2025
Stage 2: Bingley to Gargrave - 20 Sep 2025
Stage 3: Gargrave to Burnley - 21st Feb 2026
Stage 4: Burnley to Blackburn - 21st March 2026
Stage 5: Blackburn to Adlington - 11th April 2026
Stage 6: Adlington to Parbold - 9th May 2026
Stage 7: Parbold to Maghull - 6th June 2026
Stage 8: Maghull to Liverpool - 27th June 2026
Dogs: No dogs on this leg of the walk due to the length of walk and narrow towpaths, which will be busy with cyclists and other walkers.
If the event is fully booked: Please join the waiting list, as people frequently drop out during the week before an event and you are likely to get a place on the walk.
If this is your first OutdoorLads walk event: If this is your first event, we’ll make sure you feel welcomed. Please check out the My First Event page, and don’t hesitate to drop me a message if you have questions or want to know more about this walk.
Image / photo credits:
- Photo © michael ely (cc-by-sa/2.0)
- Photo © Bill Harrison (cc-by-sa/2.0)
- Photo © Jim Osley (cc-by-sa/2.0)
All other images are those of OutdoorLads leaders - with permission for OutdoorLads to use.
What to bring
Water: Bring at least 2 litres if possible. Hot drinks recommended if it's cold and wet.
Medicines: If you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Rucksack: A 20l day backpack or similar. They are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely.
Footwear: Boots recommended, but anything that is sturdy & comfortable. Remember we'll be walking for around 8 hours on paved towpaths.
Socks: Proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters.
Layered clothing: Lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid-layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece).
Trousers: Ideally not jeans which become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and easier to dry. On warm days shorts are ok.
Waterproof jacket: Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and drier.
Hat or cap: Hats will keep you warm and protect you from the wind.
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain.
Sunglasses: For any sunny day.
Sun cream: You need to protect your skin from the sun, even on cloudy days.
Snacks: Bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to access.
Lunch: Bring a packed lunch.
Food & drink
Please bring a packed lunch and plenty of water/juice too, and bring extra if the weather is going to warm.
There’s no opportunity before the walk to get snacks so please make sure you have everything you need.
There’s no guarantee of access to food and drink along the route until we reach Burnley.