Long walks near me

Stretch your legs and feel better by water with one of our favourite long canal walks. Read more.

Lady walking dog beside canal with blossom on trees

Make the most of the long hours of daylight with a long walk by water. The following walks are around five miles long - perfect for stretching your legs and enjoying fresh air and exercise.

In no particular order, here are some of our favourite long canal walks

Walks in the midlands

Circular walk from Fradley Junction

Canal: Trent & Mersey Canal

Start and finish: Fradley Junction, Alrewas, Staffordshire, DE13 7DN

Distance: 7.6km / 4.6 miles

Walking time: 1.5 - 2 hours

Parking: Available at Fradley Junction

Toilets: Available at Fradley Junction

Circular walk from Fradley Junction

Enjoy a five-mile circular walk along the Trent & Mersey Canal from Fradley Junction, taking in beautiful Staffordshire countryside.

Coventry Canal walk

Canal: Coventry Canal

Start: Coventry Basin OS Grid ref: SP333796 Postcode: CV1 4LH

Finish: Hawkesbury Junction OS Grid ref: SP361845 Postcode: CV6 6DF

Distance: 8.8km / 5½ miles

Walking time: 2.5 - 3 hours

Parking: On street and at Hawkesbury Junction

Toilets: Available at Hawkesbury Junction

Coventry Canal walk

Stroll along the Coventry Canal on this five-mile walk from the canal basin to historic Hawkesbury Junction.

A walk in the north

Walk from Gargrave to Skipton

Canal: Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Start: Gargrave OS Grid ref: SD934545

Finish: Skipton Basin OS Grid ref: SD988516

Distance: 5 miles

Walking time: 2.5 hours

Food and drink: Plenty of choice in Gargrave and Skipton (canalside in the Basin)

Parking: Car parks in Gargrave village

Train: Nearest train stations: Gargrave & Skipton

Walk from Gargrave to Skipton

Enjoy stunning scenery along the lock-free summit of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

A walk in Wales

Walk to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Canal: Llangollen Canal

Start: Llangollen Wharf OS Grid ref: SJ214423 Postcode: LL20 8TA

Finish: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct OS Grid ref: SJ270421 Postcode: LL20 7TY

Distance: 6.4km / 4 miles

Walking time: 2 hours

Parking: Available at Llangollen and at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Toilets: Available at Llangollen and at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Walk to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Wonderful wildlife and stunning architecture make this a memorable walk on the Llangollen Canal

Walks in the south

Circular walk in Oxford

Canal: Oxford Canal

Start and finish: Isis Lock OS Grid ref: SP505066 Postcode: OX1 2RQ

Distance: 8.4km / 5¼ miles

Walking time: 1.45 - 2 hours

Parking: Available en-route and in Oxford

Toilets: Available en-route and in Oxford

Circular walk in Oxford

Enjoy this five-mile walk around the historic city of Oxford

Seven-mile walk from Crofton

Canal: Kennet & Avon Canal

Start point: Crofton Pumping Station, Marlborough, SN8 3DN

End point: Crofton Pumping Station, Marlborough, SN8 3DN (via Great Bedwyn)

Distance: 7 miles

Walking time: 2 - 2.5 hours

Parking: Available at Crofton Pumping Station and Bedwyn Station

Toilets: Available for visitors at Crofton Pumping Station and Bedwyn Station

Seven-mile walk from Crofton

A circular walk boasting fabulous canal and countryside scenery with some history thrown in too

Walking advice

Remember to bring along a drink and dress appropriately for the weather. You may need suncream and a sunhat, or a raincoat and wellies. It's important to take medical advice before starting a new exercise regime. If you're new to walking, why not start with one of our shorter strolls?