Scenic walks near me

Step onto the towpath and discover a hidden world of picturesque waterways, wonderful wildlife and colourful narrowboats . Read our guide to our top ten scenic walking routes.

Two adults walk hand in hand with their dog along the canal towpath, passing a moored boat

Feel better with a waterside walk. Your local canal is full of natural beauty and historic architecture. For scenic walks near you, take a look at our full list of walking routes or simply head to your local canal.

In no particular order, here is our free guide to beautiful walks along our favourite canals and rivers.

West Midlands

Aerial view of the a canal lock and bridge next to a field

Walk from Tardebigge to Stoke Prior

The mighty Tardebigge is the longest lock flight in Britain. Its 30 locks are a walker’s rural delight set in an uplifting panorama of open countryside. This walk is 3.5 miles (just under 6km) long.

London

A trip boat with lots of windows and a traditional working boat moored in front of residential buildings on the canal

Walk from Little Venice to Camden

The Regent’s Canal tiptoes through the capital. This is a city walk through the backdoor, catching London in private, with its slippers on. This walk is 2 miles (3km) long.

West Yorkshire

Autumn leaves falling on towpath by a lock with the sun shining

Walk from Bingley to Saltaire

There's plenty to take in as you walk along this scenic stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, from the locks at Bingley to the Victorian village of Saltaire. This walk is 3 miles (5km) long.

Powys, Wales

Blue trip boat named 'Dragonfly' passes moored boats and brick-built houses at Brecon Basin

Walk from Brecon Basin

Starting at Brecon Basin this beautiful walk to Brynich Aqueduct is 2.2 miles or 3.5km long.

Lancashire

Woman on bike cycles round a corner of a towpath where the surrounding trees and brick building reflect in the canal

Walk the Burnley Trail

Discover Burnley's history on this scenic walk from Gannow Tunnel to Bank Hall colliery. Enjoy the stunning views from Burnley Embankment. This walk is 3 miles (5km) long.

Derbyshire

Narrowboat moored on the towpath at a junction in front of a tunnel and bridge under a blue sky

Walk to Bugsworth Basin

This short wellbeing walk will blow away the cobwebs. Explore the beautiful Peak Forest Canal to historic Bugsworth Basin. This walk is 1 mile (1.7km) long.

North Yorkshire

Grassy towpath next to an empty field and canal with blue skies

Walk from Gargrave to Skipton

Enjoy some of the best open countryside anywhere on England’s canal network on the lock-free summit of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. This scenic walk is 5 miles (8km) long.

Denbighshire, Wales

Two narrowboats moving along a canal aqueduct over a river with fields and trees below, and hills and blue skies behind

Walk to Llangollen

The highlight of this beautiful walk is the stunning Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with gentle countryside at either end from Horseshoe Falls to the pretty town of Llangollen

Merseyside

Adults drive narrowboat passed moored boats, with smoke blowing out the chimney

Walk in Aintree

Stretch your legs along this scenic stretch of canal. This short walk is 1.5 miles (2.4km) long - or you can double the distance by walking there and back.