Sankey Canal – Spike Island Park loop from St Helens Junction

Bike touring routes & trails

United Kingdom

England

North West England

Sankey Canal – Spike Island Park loop from St Helens Junction

Moderate

4.5

(45)

169

riders

Sankey Canal – Spike Island Park loop from St Helens Junction

03:03

48.8km

120m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. 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 14.2 km for 295 m

After 33.6 km for 75 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

6.68 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 a listed building.
de.wikibrief.org/wiki/Sankey_Viaduct
The Sankey Viaduct is the oldest railway viaduct in the world. It was built between 1828 - 1830
nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/heritage-sites/heritage-detail/sankey-viaduct

Translated by Google •

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7.92 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 the south and Callands in the north. The valley follows the course of Sankey Brook and the now disused Sankey Canal

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20.2 km

The Ferry Tavern

Highlight • Viewpoint

The FerryTavern
Olde English pub on the banks of the River Mersey along the Trans Pennine Trail serving great beer,live music and home to the world famous Ferry fish & chips.

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22.9 km

Trans Pennine Trail – Mersey Gateway Bridge Crossing

Highlight • Bridge

The Trans Pennine Trail is a coast-to-coast route across the entire breadth of England from Southport to Hornsea. It is well signposted and a walk or cycle could use all or part of the Trail in either direction. Some sections are also suitable for horse riding. The Mersey section follows the routes of many of the areas historic transport links: the disused Timperley-Garston and Cheshire Lines railways, the Manchester Ship Canal, the Runcorn-Latchford (Black Bear) Canal, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and the St Helens Canal.

Although it is now disused, the St Helens Canal used to be known as the Sankey Canal and was the first canal of the industrial revolution. It was built to transport coal to the chemical industries in Liverpool. These industries subsequently expanded and spread back along the canal to St Helens itself.

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24.6 km

Spike Island Park

Highlight • Settlement

Spike Island is a park in Widnes, Halton, North-West England. It is an artificial island between the Sankey Canal and the estuary of the River Mersey containing parkland, woodland, wetlands and footpaths. It is next to the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, an interactive science and technology museum.

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34.8 km

Sankey Valley Greenway and the Ferry Tavern

Highlight • River

The Sankey Canal opened in 1757, following the valley along the Sankey Brook, however was abandoned between 1931 and 1963. The canal has been under restoration since 1985 with the formation of the Sankey Canal Restoration Society.

The trail then enters the linear Sankey Valley Park, a lovely green corridor, that has links to the Trans-Pennine Trail and follows a stretch of Sankey Canal and Sankey Brook.

Along the way you will pass through woodlands, farmlands, and parkland with scenic paths and chance to spot some wildlife as you wind to Carr Mill where you can enjoy some refreshments.

Returning to the start will require more than one bus so check schedules before heading out.

While for the most part the paths are well-surfaced but care is needed in wetter conditions when sections can be muddy and slippery. There are also some stairs along the route.

Tip by

38.1 km

Winwick Quay Dry Dock

Archaeological Site

42.8 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.

Tip by

44.1 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.

Tip by

48.8 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

23.2 km

15.6 km

5.63 km

3.22 km

648 m

274 m

239 m

Surfaces

20.8 km

12.9 km

10.1 km

3.36 km

1.34 km

Elevation

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

Weather

Thursday 8 October

16°C

10°C

98 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 28.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 25, 2025,Bike Ride

1st bike ride for a good while,great route mostly traffic free and nice and flat the tide was actually in today.good cafes at Spike Island and Carr Mill Dam