Skipton Canal and Stirton

The route

From Skipton town centre, the route picks up the Leeds–Liverpool Canal towpath heading southwest. The canal here is at its most animated - narrow boats moored along the cut, the canal basin a short detour to the north, and the town's medieval castle visible from the bridge. Once clear of the marina, the towpath quietens quickly.

After roughly 2km the route leaves the canal near Bradley Road bridge and climbs briefly into the hamlet of Stirton - a small settlement of stone-built farmhouses sitting above the canal on the southwestern approach to Skipton. From Stirton the route returns via field paths through the lower edge of town, rejoining the canal towpath for the final stretch back to the start.

Total distance is 8.3km with 67m of ascent - the climb to Stirton is the only real gradient on the circuit. It's a pace run or easy day effort rather than something that'll stress your legs.

The Leeds–Liverpool Canal

The canal opened in 1816 as the longest single canal in Britain. The Skipton section passes through some of its most attractive stretches - limestone walls, swing bridges, and the occasional working narrowboat. The towpath is maintained and accessible year-round, though narrow in places where boats are moored along the edge.

Skipton Canal Basin, just north of the route start, is worth a look before or after the run - the confluence of the Springs Branch adds an extra channel of water and the surrounding buildings give a good sense of what the canal's commercial peak looked like.

Practical notes

This route is best run early on summer weekends - the towpath through Skipton gets busy with visitors and families by mid-morning, and the canal path is narrow enough that passing takes some coordination. On weekday mornings it's largely yours. The return field path section through the edge of Stirton is quiet regardless of season.