To the Summit and beyond

This steady ride follows the NCN66 route along the towpath of the Rochdale Canal. The majority of the ride is on canal towpath and is mainly flat with short inclines and declines at the locks that enable the canal to cut its way through the Pennine hills. The ride starts at Littleborough train station and passes Walsden and Todmorden then onto Hebden Bridge. The Rochdale Canal is the highest broad canal in England at 600 feet and was the first of the trans Pennine routes to be fully opened. The canal passes by the summit tunnel which is one of the oldest railway tunnels in the world and was credited as the longest when it opened in 1841. The half way point is Hebden Bridge's Stubbing Wharf were there is a lovely pub serving good food and beverages. The return journey retraces the outward route back to Littleborough.