Sankey Viaduct (Nine Arches) – Sankey Canal loop from Birchwood

Bike touring routes & trails

Sankey Viaduct (Nine Arches) – Sankey Canal loop from Birchwood

Moderate

4.6

(8)

riders

Sankey Viaduct (Nine Arches) – Sankey Canal loop from Birchwood

02:28

38.2km

110m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 0 m for 264 m

After 30.6 km for 290 m

After 38.0 km for 264 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

12.3 km

Sankey Viaduct (Nine Arches)

Highlight • Bridge

The Sankey Viaduct (locally known as the Nine Arches) is a railway viaduct in North West England. It is a designated Grade I listed building and has been described as being "the earliest major railway viaduct in the world.

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13.0 km

Newton-le-Willows Train Station

Highlight • Settlement

Newton-le-Willows is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, The population at the 2021 census was 24,642. Newton-le-Willows is on the eastern edge of St Helens, south of Wigan and north of Warrington.

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13.7 km

Sankey Canal Trail

Highlight • Cycleway

The Sankey Canal Trail crosses the swing bridge at Bewsey Lock and generally follows the canal, although not as close as a towpath, and is great for cycling and walking.

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18.7 km

Nineteen Arches Bridge at Carr Mill Dam

Highlight • Bridge

20.6 km

Sankey Valley Coal Truck and Waterwheel

Highlight • Historical Site

The Sankey Canal was built principally to transport coal from the coal mines in Haydock and Parr to the growing chemical industries of Liverpool.

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24.4 km

Welcome Sign for Newton-le-Willows

Highlight • Settlement

You can turn off the road at this sign which takes you on the Sankey Valley path all the way to Carr Mill. Very quiet just watch out for the Swans

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25.4 km

Sankey Viaduct

Highlight • Other

The Sankey Viaduct is considered the oldest railway viaduct in the world. It was built between 1828 and 1830. It is made of yellow sandstone and red brick. It is …

Translated by Google •

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26.6 km

Sankey Canal

Highlight • Trail

Sankey Valley Park is a public park in Warrington, Cheshire. It occupies part of the Sankey Valley and the main park itself covers over 1½ miles between Sankey Bridges in …

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38.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types