We had had to cancel this walk in January as the canal paths were icy and unsafe for the Group. Today the concern was mud! Nine of us found the path along the Leeds Liverpool canal not too bad but care was needed. 

Those arriving from Grassington had probably used the road that was improved by the Duke of Devonshire once the canal was built to transport his lead to market from Grassington. 

Gargrave is the most northerly point of the Leeds Liverpool canal and just beyond our destination of East Marton is its highest point. We also became aware that the canal makes the Aire Gap through the Pennines unique in that it has four means of transport, road, rail, river, and canal. All are very close together just beyond Gargrave. 

We actually pass 10 locks on our outward journey raising the canal around 201 feet, 61 metres. However between Newton Bridge and Green Bank there are no locks, instead the canal follows the contour making several loops and one notices the Mast “moving around”! The canal is wide enough to take the double width Wide Beam boats as well as Narrowboats and here features one or two larger pools to enable the canal boats to turn round. The towpath on which we walk was initially for the horses to travel while hauling the boats and their cargo. 

Double Bridge, A59 above, old Turnpike road below.
The Double Bridge carrying the A59 East Marton
Bridge 162 approaching East Marton
The group approaching East Marton
Lock and turning pool beyond
Lock and turning pool beyond near Newton Locks Foot

The bridges over the canal reveal evidence of the vertical rollers that prevented the horse rope from snagging and fraying, one such is still in place near East Marton. Another feature are the mile posts, usually telling the distance travelled but occasionally reversing the information, perhaps representing a newer replacement?

Mile Post nearer to Gargrave showing distance from
Mile Post nearer Gargrave showing distance from
Mile Post near East Marton showing distance to
Mile post near East Marton showing distance to

More disappointing was evidence of modern road traffic causing damage to some of the road bridges, and at Bank Newton closing the path due the risk of falling masonry

The wildlife seen included, Mute Swans, Little Egret, Canada Geese, Moorhens and Mallards, Snowdrops and Celandines along with Hazel catkins and their very small red female flowers.

A pair of Goosanders
A pair of Goosanders on Leeds Liverpool Canal
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Mute Swans
Mute Swans
Snowdrops on canal bank
Snowdrops on the canal bank

We finally lunched on bridge no 160 just beyond East Marton near the Church, having noted the Double Arched Bridge carrying the much used A59.

Bridge 160 our lunch spot
Bridge 160
Turning near Bridge 160
Narrow Boat turning

The way back crosses the main road and past the now closed Cross Keys pub, but open at weekends Abbots Harbour Cafe then we head for the Pennine Way. The first part was avoided as totally poached to very muddy by the horses. The lane was much easier! At Trent Laithe we chose the fields! Well what a mud fest that turned out to be, often at risk of footwear being sucked off and definitely featuring two steps forward one back. We passed the finger post at Scaleber with excellent views of the surrounding fells, soon back on a lane. However we weakened after crossing the railway line by staying on the lane instead of keeping to the Way before heading for Gargrave Church and the car park. Tea and cake was our reward for an excellent walk – through mud – offered by the leader.

Leader Josephine Drake

Photos Ann Shaw