Pontcysyllte Aqueduct safety advice

The 11 mile Llangollen Canal World Heritage Site features some of the most spectacular waterway scenery in the country. It includes two stunning aqueducts at Pontcysyllte and Chirk, and two tunnels at Chirk and Whitehouse. We want everyone to stay safe when they visit.

Each year we welcome nearly half a million visitors who come to admire ‘the stream in the sky’ either as walkers, boaters, anglers, cyclists, canoeists or stand-up paddle boarders.

We ask all visitors to share the space and be considerate of other people

When crossing over or through these special 200-year-old heritage structures, we advise:

Stand-up paddle boarders

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is over 200 years old, has no protective railing on the canal side, making it a no-go crossing for stand-up paddle boarders.

Stand-up paddle boarders can paddle over Chirk Aqueduct (due to enhanced protection) but along the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the two tunnels, you need to dismount and walk on the towpath, towing your paddle board in the water behind you.

Canoeists

Canoeists are allowed to paddle along both aqueducts and, when wearing a head light, through both tunnels.

Cyclists

Cyclists you need to dismount and walk your cycles on the towpath along both aqueducts and through both tunnels. Ideally your bicycle should always be on the water side.

When you're on the towpath you need to always use a bell and slow down whenever you pass pedestrians.

Please don’t put yourself or others at risk