How to get there - From Junction 19 on the M6, head southwest on Chester Rd/A556 toward Tabley Hill Ln. Continue to follow A556 (3.0 mi). Turn right to stay on A556 (157 ft). Slight left at Manchester Rd (1.9 mi). Continue onto Chester Way/A559 and continue to follow A559 through 1 roundabout (0.9 mi). Turn left at Chester Way/B5337 (0.2 mi). Turn left at London Rd/A533 (0.4 mi). Turn right at The Crescent (0.2 mi). For those with SatNav the postcode is CW9 8AD.
You will need to shuttle a car to or arrange a pick-up from Acton Bridge. For those with SatNav the postcode is CW8 4QT.
Get a map with driving directions to
start or
end (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - Launch from Northwich Rowing Club.
General
Description - 1. Portage the lock on the left. Progressing down the Trail, pass under the swing bridge 1 km below Hunts Lock, and pass the confluence of Rivers Weaver / Dane. The Dane can be explored at your own risk although this is not advisable if the water level is high.
2. Passing under the second swing bridge and traveling downstream 2km you will reach Anderton Boat Lift. Portage to the canal is 500m upstream of the Lift on the right bank.
3. Continuing along the river and under the Barnton swing bridge. Saltersford Lock is approx.3km away. Exit on right bank near sluice gate. You now have three options:
a. Follow the road up the hill to the canal. For a return trip to Anderton Boat Lift head right and exit the canal just beyond the Lift. There is a portage, through the car park, to rejoin the river. (
see map)
b. Heading left on the canal will complete the loop to Acton Bridge. Exit the canal at the boat yard and follow the road down to rejoin the river. (
see map)
Note: Both canal routes involve a tunnel, portage is on the south bank and heavy boats will require a canoe trolley.
c. To continue on the river, pass the lock keepers cottage and enter via the low grass bank. There is a camp site 2km downstream on the left bank. Please refer to general information sheet for further details.
4. Acton Bridge is reached on the right channel, 1km below the campsite which is the start of the lower section of the Trail. To join the canal, exit the river on the right bank upstream of the bridge, pass under the bridge and then head right to the road. You will see the canal in the distance; take the minor road to the left and follow the track past Davenports Farm Shop through the boat yard to the canal.
The trip is 6.1 miles with two portages. Diverting onto the Trent & Mersey canal will add two lengthy portages past the tunnels.
