Leeds Canal Walk
13 miles (21 km)Enjoy a stroll from Leeds city centre to Kirkstall and Shipley on this waterside walk along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.There's lots of pretty locks, lovely Yorkshire countryside and views of the River Aire which runs alongside the canal.
It's a 13 mile walk but it starts at Leeds train station and finishes at Shipley rail station so you can catch the train back at the end of your outing.
Walk Report October 4th 2026 By Martin Hayes:
Starting at Leeds station makes this feel like a proper linear day out rather than a walk where you have to worry about getting back to the car. I picked up the canal at Granary Wharf and it was a surprisingly quick change from the busy city centre to the much quieter towpath.... The first section has plenty of reminders of Leeds' industrial past, with old mills and buildings appearing alongside the canal, while the River Aire runs close by in places.
I enjoyed the contrast as the miles went by. Around Kirkstall the canal becomes noticeably greener, with trees and woodland alongside the water, and there are some lovely stretches where you can catch glimpses of the river through the foliage. Kirkstall Abbey is particularly impressive, with the ruins appearing between the trees as you approach. I crossed over to have a look around the abbey and its grounds, which made a good break from the towpath.
After Kirkstall the walk gradually feels more rural, although you are never completely removed from the city. There were anglers sitting quietly beside the canal and a steady stream of narrowboats and cyclists, while the surrounding trees and riverside vegetation made it easy to forget how close Leeds actually is. The weather was bright but quite breezy, and I was glad of the occasional sheltered section beneath the trees.
Rodley Nature Reserve was another highlight. I took some time to explore the reserve rather than simply passing by, using the hides to look across the ponds and wetlands. I was particularly struck by how much birdlife there was in such an urban setting, with herons, ducks and smaller birds around the water. The little visitor centre and café were also very welcome, and I stopped for a drink before continuing along the canal.
From Rodley onwards the character changes again. The towpath becomes quieter and the surrounding countryside opens out as the canal heads towards Apperley Bridge. There are more wooded sections around Calverley Woods, including some attractive stretches where the trees come right down towards the water. By this point I was settling into the rhythm of the walk, with the locks, bridges and occasional canal boats providing something to look at without making the route feel busy.
The final section towards Shipley was a satisfying way to finish. The old mills and industrial buildings around the town bring you back to the history of the canal, and it was nice knowing that the railway station was waiting at the end. After such a long walk, having the option of simply getting on a train rather than retracing the route was a definite bonus.
What I liked most about the Leeds Canal Walk was the way it gradually transforms from an urban waterfront into open countryside. Kirkstall Abbey gives it a major historical highlight, Rodley adds a completely different wildlife interest, and the canal itself provides a continuous thread through the whole day. The train journey back from Shipley also makes the 13-mile distance much more manageable than it might initially sound.
To extend your exercise you could continue west and visit Saltaire where you will find a fascinating Victorian model village and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Aire Valley Towpath also runs through the area and will take you all the way to Bingley.
Pubs and More Info
If you head east from the city you could try the Woodlesford Lock to Leeds Canal Walk. This takes you from the scenic lock at Woodlesford into the city centre along the Aire and Calder Navigation. On the way it passes the interesting museums at Thwaite Mills and the Royal Armouries.
Just east of the city you'll find the noteworthy Temple Newsam Country Park. There's 1500 acres of parkland to explore here with a series of woodland trails, pretty ponds, landscaped gardens and the Dunstan Hills. The expansive estate surrounds a fine Tudor-Jacobean house with hundreds of years of history. It's one of the highlights of the area and well worth a visit.
Also to the east you can pick up the long distance Leeds Country Way near Garforth. This trail explores the countryside around the city with the option of heading south to visit the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal and the lovely RSPB St Aidan's Nature Reserve where there are excellent bird watching opportunities.
To the south of the city you could explore the area around the neighbouring market town of Pudsey. The Pudsey Walk visits the pretty Pudsey Beck before climbing to the fine viewpoint at Post Hill in Troydale.
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Nearby Routes
Aire Valley Towpath Calverley Woods Saltaire Kirkstall Abbey Leeds Country Way Garforth Woodlesford Lock to Leeds Canal Walk Pudsey Morley Rodley Nature Reserve
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