Macclesfield Canal Challenging Trail: Please be aware that the grading of this trail was set according to normal water levels and conditions. Weather and water level/conditions can change the nature of trail within a short space of time so please ensure you check both of these before heading out. Distance: 16 Miles Approximate Time: 3-5 hours The time has been estimated based on you travelling 3 – 5mph (a leisurely pace using a recreational type of boat). Type of Trail: One Way or Out and Back Waterways Travelled: Macclesfield canal Type of Water: Canal Portages and Locks: None Nearest Town: Marple and Macclesfield Paddling on the Macclesfield Canal Start: Marple – GR SJ 961884 Postcode: SK6 6BP Route Summary Finish: Bosley Top lock – GR SJ 905669 Postcode: CW12 2PB This canal was opened in 1831, and was an alternative and faster route from the Midlands to Manchester, rather than O.S. Sheets: Landranger No. 109, Manchester, and the Trent and Mersey canal, which it joins at Kidsgrove in 118, Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield Staffordshire. At the northern end, it joins the Peak Forest Licence Information: A licence is required to Canal at Marple, which joins the Ashton Canal. paddle on this waterway. See full details in Useful Information below. This was an engineering feat by Thomas Telford, who designed a shorter route than just by a simple contour canal, Local Facilities: In Marple and Macclesfield (also by the use of embankments and cuttings (‘cut and fill’), seen local canal and pit Visitor Centres along the route) by many as producing a more pleasant and eye-pleasing Vechicle Shuttle Required: Please see below for landscaping than any modern motorway. The engineer on site, further information. William Crossley, managed to cut a couple of miles off Telford’s design, to result in the fastest line to Manchester, Page 1 of 5 and a delight for the canoeist, with no locks! One feature of the canal are the roving bridges, designed to enable towing horses to cross over sides of the canal, and of beautiful elliptical design in brick. The shapes meant that tow ropes did not become jammed. The towpath is on the lower, west side of the canal, crossing over to the east in Marple and Macclesfield. The whole route has much old industrial heritage interest, this being basically the southern boundary of the former Lancashire coal mining area. Start Information The start at Marple is at the head of the spectacular rise of 16 locks from the Goyt valley, leading to the 500 ft. contour. Description This upper section of the canal gives views over the east to the Pennines, and west over the Cheshire Plain. The rural scenery is delightful, the urban scenes short-lived and not unattractive. This route ends at Bosley, with a 100 ft. drop down 12 locks. At Marple, canoes could be unloaded at the actual junction, but parking is limited, so vehicles should be moved immediately to street parking on Brick Bridge Road 200 yds away. The junction is picturesque, with the Lower Peak canal dropping down the locks, the Upper Peak heading for Whalley Bridge. There is always plenty of life at the junction. The first lock is a ‘rising lock’ or ‘stop lock’ designed so that the older canal, the Peak Forest, would not be short of water (i.e. the Macclesfield Canal would always be topping up the other canal). One of the roving bridges on the route After Goyt Mill, built in 1905, the canal leaves the town, and the first village is High Lane, with shops and The Bulls Head pub at canal side. Near to Poynton, is Prince’s Incline, where an inclined plane tramway brought coal up from Poynton’s collieries. At just over 3 miles into your journey is Nelson Pit car park (at Victoria Pit Marina) where there is a visitor centre at the bottom of the car park, with toilets. A pub and canal side café are also nearby. This area has many small lanes, but the pretty countryside now hides the former mining past. Bridge 25 at Whitely Green is reached after 7 miles. Here, Holehouse Lane car park is near to the bridge, with The Windmill Inn just a little further along the road. This is a possible intermediate access point. Another option is just half a mile further along the canal at Clarence Mill. Canalside café at Victoria Pit Moorings The mill houses the Bollington Discovery Centre and Waterside Café. Just around the corner the valley at Bollington is crossed by an aqueduct with the River Dean below. Page 2 of 5 Macclesfield has busy roads and a shortage of nearby parking therefore possible access points at both Kerridge (Bridge 29, 9 miles) and Sutton Bridge 44, 12.5 miles) are better options. As with many large industrial towns, Macclesfield is almost unaffected by the canal nowadays, it’s mostly avoiding the town by a higher route along the eastern edge. The end, in open countryside, is at Bosley Top lock, the road bridge being just after this first lock. Finish Information The road route for shuttles can be via rather small lanes, unless the main road to Bollington and Macclesfield is taken. Marple to Macclesfield is by the A626 and A627 to Hazel Grove, and then the A523 south to Macclesfield and Bosley, Bollington being just off this road via the B5091. At the finish, also do not obstruct access to the canal by leaving vehicles in appropriate places. Useful Information The waterways in this trail are managed by Canal and Rivers Trust and require paddlers to hold a licence. If you are an existing British Canoeing member the good news is that your membership includes an annual licence for the waterways covered within this trail – please ensure you take your membership card with you on the water as this acts as your licence, if stopped with no licence, you will be at risk of being fined. You can buy a licence directly from Canal and Rivers Trust for this waterway or by becoming a British Canoeing member you’ll have a licence to cover you for a whole year. A British Canoeing membership gives you a whole range of benefits including licenses to paddle on 4500km of Britain's waterways and Civil Liability Insurance, worth up to £10 Million. If you are planning to paddle regularly this will save you great deal of money and hassle alongside having peace of mind. For more information on British Canoeing membership please click here. Macclesfield sits on the south side of Greater Manchester, with the moorland of the Peak District to the east, and to the south and west the pleasant market towns of Congleton, Northwich, Middlewich, Winsford and Knutsford (the original ‘Cranford’). Nearer in to Manchester are Alderley Edge, Altricham and Wilmslow, viewed as desirable and rich commuter towns. The attractions of the city are nearby in Manchester, and the countryside on the doorstep. Further useful information can be found on the following websites: www.macclesfieldcanal.org.uk www.cheshirepeakdistrict.com/ www.knutsfordheritage.com/ CANOEING SAFETY ADVICE Spending an afternoon or day canoeing on a Canoe Trail can be a fun way to experience nature, help you to stay fit and healthy and enjoy spending time with friends and family. It can also be a dangerous journey, if appropriate safety guidelines are overlooked. To help make sure you remain safe at all times, read on to see our canoeing safety advice guidelines. Page 3 of 5 Wear appropriate clothing Always wear shoes. Rocks, rough terrain and river beds present serious hazards to boaters without the proper attire. Nearly 90% of all boating injuries are attributed to lack of proper footwear. Other canoe safe clothing includes hats, gloves, additional dry clothing, and layered items which can easily be removed. Take or wear a windproof top and course always wear a buoyancy aid - for children make sure the crotch straps are used. Be sure to: • Know the weather forecast and check the water conditions before you set out canoeing. There is an Environment Agency website where information concerning river levels can be found. We recommend checking this before heading out as the river levels can rise and fall quite quickly in wet or dry conditions. • Observe navigation rules for this waterway. • Check to see if there are any events on the waterways when you wish to travel. • Check that your equipment is well maintained and ready for the water. • Check that your boat has the required buoyancy to keep it afloat in the event of a capsize ALWAYS be certain to let others know where you’re going and when you’re expected to return. MAKE SURE that the journey you plan is within your capabilities. MAKE SURE you never paddle alone. Equipment Checklist Use the canoeing safety advice checklist below to make sure you have everything you need: • Boat • Paddle • Buoyancy Aid • Bailer/sponge • Small First Aid Kit • Phone (in a waterproof bag) • Drinking water and snacks Photo by James Carnegie • Suitable clothing for the weather Environmental Good Practice One of the great things about paddling a canoe trail is enjoying the journey and different environments that you paddle through. So when you are out on the water please consider the following things to help keep the wonderful waterways and environment as you found them and to avoid accidently disturbing wildlife and their habitats. Take your litter home with you Keep noise to a minimum Where possible keep to any designated paths or launching points. Do not “seal” launch or drag boats to avoid wearing away natural banks.