Sankey Canal – Sankey Viaduct (Nine Arches) loop from Thatto Heath

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United Kingdom

England

North West England

Sankey Canal – Sankey Viaduct (Nine Arches) loop from Thatto Heath

Moderate

3.7

(3)

riders

Sankey Canal – Sankey Viaduct (Nine Arches) loop from Thatto Heath

02:19

36.2km

160m

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 23, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions. Check ahead to confirm restricted segments are open to the public.

After 982 m for 610 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

8.92 km

Sankey Canal Footbridge and Waterfall

Highlight • Waterfall

Nice foot bridge over the Sankey Valley Greenway. Ok to cycle over and good views around the area of St Helens.

Tip by

12.1 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.

Tip by

12.1 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

Tip by

13.1 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 •

Tip by

14.3 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 …

Tip by

17.5 km

Winwick Quay Dry Dock

Archaeological Site

22.1 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

23.4 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

26.6 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.

Tip by

36.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

16.3 km

6.82 km

6.31 km

3.58 km

1.75 km

1.07 km

404 m

Surfaces

16.4 km

12.6 km

5.24 km

1.60 km

310 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Today

Thursday 8 October

16°C

9°C

98 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 26.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 28, 2025,Callands (Warrington) to Carr Mill Dam (St. Helens) & Return

A lovely flat & easy family friendly off road trail (mostly tarmac or crushed cinder)
along the Sankey Canal and Sankey Brook cycleway to Carr Mill Dam.