Saltaire to Bingley Five Rise Locks

A calm, mostly level canal walk along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal with photo stops at Hirst Lock and Dowley Gap Aqueduct. End at Britain’s steepest staircase locks, then ride the train back or return the same way.

Distance: 10–12 km return
Grade: Easy
Updated: 2025-10-12

Prefer a shorter stroll? See the route variations.

Overview

Distance: 10–12 km return (6.5–7.5 miles). One-way to Bingley + train back: ~5–6 km.
Time: 2–3.5 hours walking, plus photo/café stops.
Grade: Easy; mostly level towpath. Mixed surfaces: compact gravel/stone flags.
Start: Saltaire canal junction (near Victoria Road) or outside Salts Mill.
Finish: Bingley Five Rise Locks (continue to Bingley station for train return).
Map/GPX: Download GPX (add later; optional).

A narrowboat approaching a set of canal locks on a sunny day

Keep the canal to your left when heading from Saltaire toward Bingley; return with the canal on your right. Landmarks and bridges make wayfinding simple.

Route summary

The walk follows the Leeds & Liverpool Canal northwest from Saltaire. Hirst Lock and Dowley Gap Aqueduct make natural milestones before you reach the Three Rise and then the Five Rise locks. Return the same way or drop to Bingley station.

#	From	To	Distance	Notes
1	Saltaire (Victoria Road / canal junction)	Hirst Lock	2.0 km	Level walking; mind cyclists. Good warm-up stretch with views back to the mill chimney.
2	Hirst Lock	Dowley Gap Aqueduct	1.2 km	Short but scenic. Detour briefly onto the aqueduct for river views; handrails are solid.
3	Dowley Gap Aqueduct	Bingley Three Rise Locks	1.8 km	Gentle bends with moorings; watch for narrow sections. Benches appear near bridges.
4	Bingley Three Rise Locks	Bingley Five Rise Locks (turn point)	0.9 km	Slight gradient near lock approaches. Boat movements are great to watch in boating season.

Distances are approximate and can vary with detours/photo stops. Surfaces and conditions change with weather — tread carefully around puddles and algae on stone.

Turn-by-turn

From Saltaire, join the canal by the junction near Victoria Road. Face upstream (chimney behind you).
Follow the towpath with water on your left. Pass moored boats and occasional benches.
Reach Hirst Lock: pause to watch boats or picnic by the grassy bank.
Continue to Dowley Gap Aqueduct; step onto the aqueduct for river views, then return to the towpath.
Keep ahead toward Bingley. Moorings and bridges mark progress; pass the Three Rise locks.
Climb the short gradient to the Five Rise. Watch a lock cycle if one’s underway (keep clear of paddles/gates).
Option to continue a few minutes to Bingley station for a train back, or retrace your steps to Saltaire.

If you prefer a printed cue sheet, press Ctrl/Cmd + P. Our accessibility guide lists step-free notes for pinch points.

POIs & photo spots

Use these as checkpoints. The canal bends give classic compositions; keep an eye out for reflections on calm days and dramatic skies after showers.

Salts Mill (start option)

view

Landmark start with cafés and loos nearby. Good orientation point before joining the canal.

Learn more

Hirst Lock

lock

Pretty lock with picnic spots and a short detour to riverside meadows.

Dowley Gap Aqueduct

bridge

Elegant stone aqueduct over the River Aire; great photo angles upriver.

Bingley station (return option)

station

Short walk from the canal; trains back to Saltaire/Shipley/Leeds/Bradford.

Bingley Five Rise Locks

lock

Britain’s steepest staircase locks; watch boats ascend/descend in season.

Bingley Three Rise Locks

lock

Another impressive flight just south of the Five Rise.

Café near top lock

cafe

Handy drinks/ice cream stop in season. Expect queues on sunny weekends.

Toilets (seasonal) near locks

loo

Facilities vary by season/event; bring hand gel and a small pack-out bag.

Accessibility & safety

Step-free pointers

Overall route is mostly level; surface varies from compact gravel to stone flags.
Step-free is broadly possible from Saltaire to near the locks, but occasional narrowings and camber exist.
At busy pinch points by bridges and locks, wait for space and pass single-file.

See the accessibility guide.

Safety notes

Towpaths are shared: give way kindly, keep right at narrowings and signal with a friendly hello if needed.
Water risk: supervise children near edges; towpath edges can be unprotected.
After rain, expect puddles and slippery stone flags; tread carefully.
In summer, carry water and sun protection; shade is intermittent.

Trains & parking

Rail (recommended)

Bingley station is a short stroll from the canal below the locks. Trains typically run toward Saltaire/Shipley/Leeds/Bradford. Check live info on the day.

See: Getting here by train

Driving

If starting in Saltaire, use the public car parks and walk in. Avoid narrow terraces around the heritage streets.

Full details: Parking guide

Cafés & facilities

Cafés at Salts Mill (start) and near the top locks (in season)
Benches along the towpath and by bridges
Toilets vary; plan ahead and bring a small pack-out kit

Route variations

Short Out-and-Back (4–5 km)

Walk from Saltaire to Hirst Lock (or Dowley Gap), enjoy the aqueduct, and return the same way.

One-Way with Train Return (~6–8 km)

Walk to Five Rise Locks, then head down to Bingley station and ride back to Saltaire or Shipley.

Family Half-Day

Out to Hirst Lock picnic then back via Roberts Park playground; add an ice cream at the café in season.

Seasonal notes

Spring: blossom and fresher towpath surfaces; changeable showers.
Summer: busiest; carry water/sun protection and start earlier for quieter paths.
Autumn: rich colours; leaf-fall can be slippery on stone.
Winter: low light and reflections; expect puddles and mud at access points.

Quick answers

Q1.How long is the walk?

Expect 6.5–7.5 miles (10–12 km) if you go out-and-back to the Five Rise. One-way with a train back is roughly 5–6 km depending on your start within Saltaire.

Q2.Is it suitable for buggies/wheelchairs?

Much of the towpath is compact and broadly level, but surface quality varies with weather. Step-free is viable in long stretches; consider a shorter out-and-back to Hirst Lock for the smoothest experience.

Q3.Are there toilets and cafés?

Cafés at Salts Mill and near the top locks operate seasonally; toilets vary. Bring hand gel and a small pack-out bag just in case.

Q4.Can I take the train back?

Yes. Bingley station is a short walk from the canal. Trains typically run toward Saltaire/Shipley/Leeds/Bradford; check live info on the day.

Q5.Is the route safe for kids?

The water’s edge is open in places; supervise closely. Choose quieter times and consider the short Hirst Lock variation for little legs.