Leeds and Liverpool Canal – Scotman's Flash loop from Irlam

Leeds and Liverpool Canal – Scotman's Flash loop from Irlam

Hard

5.0

(1)

riders

Leeds and Liverpool Canal – Scotman's Flash loop from Irlam

03:14

62.5km

220m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 22, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 21.1 km for 51 m

After 43.0 km for 51 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

5.23 km

Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve

Nature Reserve

15.5 km

Pennington Flash Nature Reserve

Highlight • Rest Area

Ideal spot to stop for and ice cream. Toilets also available.

Tip by

16.3 km

View of Pennington Flash

Highlight • Viewpoint

Stunning views along the canal toady in the beautiful sunshine

Tip by

16.7 km

Penstock Gate on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal (Leigh Branch)

Highlight • Cycleway

Watch the small dinghy sailing on the flash. Accessible from many directions.

Tip by

17.1 km

Plank Lane Marina and Lift Bridge

Highlight • Rest Area

A nice developed spot along the canal. Let's hope it doesn't become too overdeveloped however!

Tip by

18.2 km

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Highlight • Cycleway

Good cycling paths all year round.

Tip by

24.2 km

Scotman's Flash

Highlight • Lake

canal tow path on the Leigh branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Wigan flashes on both sides brick paved all down the stretch always busy with walkers and cyclists

Tip by

29.5 km

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Lake

32.1 km

Haigh Woodland Park and Haigh Hall

Highlight • Forest

Haigh Hall is a historic country house in Haigh, Wigan, Greater Manchester. Built between 1827 and 1840 for James Lindsay, 7th Earl of Balcarres, it replaced an ancient manor house …

Tip by

53.0 km

Bridgewater Canal

Lake

53.6 km

Lingard's Bridge

Highlight • Viewpoint

A good waypoint when navigating to or from the canal. It's nice to watch the boats pass underneath.

Tip by

62.5 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

22.7 km

17.6 km

17.1 km

4.18 km

985 m

Surfaces

24.2 km

15.2 km

11.8 km

6.77 km

4.40 km

263 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (130 m)

Lowest point (20 m)

Weather

Monday 5 October

18°C

13°C

53 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

July 26, 2025,Leeds Liverpool canal – Scotmans Flash loop from Irlam

Great trail. Only bad bit is at the start. The road has to be the worst in Britian. It has subsidence, it's cracked, crooked, sink holes, pot holes, dips, humps you name it. It is bad, even for the best mountain bike. It actually seemed worse coming back. Great trail though, although Haigh Hall (the house) was all boarded over …