Four night midweek break 26 miles 24 locks 22 hours

This route winds along the contours on the side of Airedale, with extensive views of sheep country, and stone growing out of the landscape - farmhouses, barns, stone walls in all directions and the occasional village or small town.

Navigation notes

This route allows for the lock opening times we expect to see in 2026 - locks are likely to be locked overnight to conserve water while reservoirs are under repair. Please note that you MUST be back through Greenberfield Locks by early Thursday afternoon - current lock opening times will be in your pre-holiday Information Pack and Boat Manual.

This is one example of routes which our customers enjoy. Distances and times shown are for the return trip. You can vary the distance to suit you, because there are plenty of turning points ('winding holes') marked in the guides on your boat. Information we provide about specific waterways or suggested routes is for general reference only. Please see more about route availability.

East Marton 5 miles 3 locks 3 hours

We will meet you at Lower Park Marina and show you round your boat before you set off through Barnoldswick, a Yorkshire town summarily transferred (stone by stone?) to Lancashire in 1974. We'll then escort you through the three locks at Greenberfield. Travel on through remote countryside and spend the night near East Marton. Sadly, there are no pubs here at the moment, but you can moor somewhere quiet and eat on board.

Gargrave 4 miles 9 locks 5 hours

Now you pass into the wildest scenery, where you could moor for days with no human contact but the occasional passing boat, walker or cyclist. Across the valley, you may see a boat behind a stone wall, apparently heading in the same direction as you on a parallel canal - only to find that you meet on a hairpin bend, and pass. Then the Bank Newton flight leads you round and down into Gargrave, an unspoilt canal village with shops and a great choice of places to eat and drink - our favourite is the Masons Arms. Turn below Anchor Lock and moor for the night. (You can't go any further, or you won't get back to Barnoldswick on time.)

Greenberfield 7 miles 9 locks 6 hours

Leave Gargrave as soon as the locks open and work your boat up to the top of the Bank Newton flight. Then you have the rest of the day to travel through sheep country to the bottom of Greenberfield, where you moor up (you won't be able to go up the same day). If you fancy a pint, it's not a long walk into Barnoldswick, but just above the locks is the Rolls Royce Club which welcomes visitors.

Salterforth 9 miles 3 locks 4 hours

Set off up the three locks at Greenberfield, go past the place where you started, and wind your way across the Summit to Foulridge. Travel through the mysterious tunnel and turn before the top of Barrowford, before making your way back. Spend the night at the Anchor at Salterforth - or The Wharf at Foulridge if you're OK with an early start next day.

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Lower Park Marina 1 mile 0 locks 1/2 hour

If you stayed at the Anchor, a short sail without locks brings you back to base by 0900. If you stopped at Foulridge, you'll need to get up early!

This trip includes remote countryside on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, villages and a small town.