What do you think of the Rochdale

[Blake]

How do people think the Rochdale compares with other canals

thanks forhte info

Victoria

[kerching]

It,s the nicest canal on the system.

 

Steve (from Littleborough on the Rochdale canal)

[RichardH]

It is a wonderful mix of dramatic scenery and insurtrial heritage.

 

Not for the faint hearted though as many locks and shallow stretches.

[MikeV]

Only done from Sowerby Bridge to the summit, and then walked from there to Littleborough so can't speak about the rest of the "other side", however we thought it was a fabulous canal. Great scenery, lovely towns, nice BW staff, and even the lock gear was not too difficult.

 

The only problems we had were too much water (unable to open a top gate) and too little water - we had to wait until the next day for two pounds to refill. This was on the same day I might add so we suspect it was due to a boater ahead of us leaving a paddle open!

[Matthew Dowson]

Brilliant canal - but only done sowerby to summit and back in 2006, couldn't do it last year as it was shut near manchester for a week, so we had to retrace our steps up the L&L. The Calder valley is beautiful and Gauxholme viaduct is stunning. But low pounds were a problem.

[fender]

The Rochdale might be better if it actually went to Ocho Rios!

[MartinClark]

The Rochdale might be better if it actually went to Ocho Rios!

 

Is that a PiratePaul-type suggestion?

[Tim Lewis]

How do people think the Rochdale compares with other canals

thanks forhte info

Victoria

 

It's a stunning canal, a few pictures from our trip in 2002 here and here.

 

Tim

[fender]

It's a stunning canal

 

Tim

 

I knew it was bad but that bad? Thanks for the warning about getting tasered by the cops

[Bones]

Loved it, amazing scenery, excellent cruising and a jolly good place to be.

Edited August 25, 2009 by Bones

[gaggle]

I have only looked this week to find out exaxctly where it goes , we always went up the ashton and through the stanhedge to reach the calder and hebble , i dont know why but i assumed it reached a dead end , must have misunderstood something i had read and thought the summit was the end.

be up there next summer though.

[Lady Muck]

Completed our escorted passage into Manchester this afternoon. Now moored in Central Manchester.

I really, really, love this canal and I think it is such a shame that it's so underused. Have only seen a total of four other boats on this canal since Saturday.

Yes it is a bit of an adventure, yes there are loads of locks, you will run aground here and there and there is quite a bit of rubbish in the canal in Manchester, BUT, we didn't get any trouble from kids (although we'd heard other boaters complain) and I thought the locks were no harder to work than those on the Leeds and Liverpool. There was alot of broken paddlegear, but the trickest locks also happen to be the ones where BW staff are escorting you through. We were delayed a day whilst BW removed a transit van from lock 60, I drove over what seemed to be a bed this morning and had an argument with a fisherman, but it was alot easier than I expected it to be.

My advice is: go, don't be put off. Please go, this canal cost a fortune in money and sweat to reopen and the least you can do is to boat on it! Many of the local people were overjoyed to see us on this canal and very pleased to see it used.

[mayalld]

Completed our escorted passage into Manchester this afternoon. Now moored in Central Manchester.

I really, really, love this canal and I think it is such a shame that it's so underused. Have only seen a total of four other boats on this canal since Saturday.

Yes it is a bit of an adventure, yes there are loads of locks, you will run aground here and there and there is quite a bit of rubbish in the canal in Manchester, BUT, we didn't get any trouble from kids (although we'd heard other boaters complain) and I thought the locks were no harder to work than those on the Leeds and Liverpool. There was alot of broken paddlegear, but the trickest locks also happen to be the ones where BW staff are escorting you through. We were delayed a day whilst BW removed a transit van from lock 60,

 

Ah, that was the "large obstruction".

[DHutch]

Its a good canal, as said, it is ofcause wide and had plenty of locks, but there fairly good and not in awfull state of repair. So in short, do it!

[Blake]

Its a good canal, as said, it is ofcause wide and had plenty of locks, but there fairly good and not in awfull state of repair. So in short, do it!

I am excited that everyone is so positive. I am part of a group called the Calderdale Canal Connection and we want to improve the canal and towpath for all users.

thanks for taking the time to reply. Blake is on her way to Mytholmroyd where we hope to eventually find a permanent mooring - any offers?

 

victoria