"Cliff" wrote in message
...
Has anyone got any suggestions for a good circular canal path route of
about
150 to 200 miles staying B&B for three nights.


Thanks in advance


The towpaths aren't all in fantastic order, so don't expect paths, where you
can go bombing on. 50 miles a day is extremely ambitious for towpaths.
There's plenty to see on the waterways, so slow down, and go for a shorter
trip, would be my tip.
You can get up to date inof on the towpaths from
http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/site/cycling_23.asp
http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/do...d_24-11-03.pdf

Personally I'd recommend the 4 counties ring.
The Four Counties Ring The Trent and Mersey Canal, Staffordshire &
Worcestershire Canal, Shropshire Union Main Line and Shropshire Union -
Middlewich Branch. 110 miles
The Shropshire canal is particularly attractive having been built later than
most canals it has dramatic cuttings and high embankments, not like a linear
contour hugging canal.

You can extend it by going up the cul de sacs of either:-
A) up the Llangollen canal
B) or highly recommend is the Caldon canal (up the Churnet valley to
Froghall)
C) or go north on the Trent and Mersey to Chester/Ellesmere Port.

An excellent site with lots of pictures is Mike Stevens trip account of the
4 counties.
http://www.mike-stevens.co.uk/report...1983/page1.htm

Other ideas are

The Cheshire Ring The Bridgewater Canal, Rochdale Canal, Ashton, Peak Forest
and Macclesfield Canals and Trent and Mersey Canal.95 miles

The Avon Ring The Worcester and Birmingham Canal, River Severn, River Avon
(Warwick) and Stratford upon Avon Canal. 109 miles
(Not sure on the towpath for the R.Avon)

The Warwickshire Ring The Grand Union Main Line, Birmingham and Fazeley
Canal, Coventry Canal andOxford Canal (Northern Section). 104 miles
The Stourport Ring The Worcester and Birmingham Canal, River Severn,
Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and BCN Main Line. 85 miles

If you want a challenge try
The Outer Pennine Ring . It also includes the Ashton Canal, the Huddersfield
Broad Canal, part of the Calder and Hebble Navigation, Aire & Calder
Navigation : Wakefield Section, Aire & Calder Main Line, Leeds and Liverpool
Canal, Bridgewater Canal, and Rochdale Canal,. 175 miles


As regards B&B I use http://www.s-h-systems.co.uk/shs.html
You''ll find Nicholsons maps the best, from the IWA book shop
http://www.waterways.org.uk/index.htm

Don't forget you licence and Enjoy!

Lets us know how you went on.


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