Grand Union Canal Walk

A long distance walk of 145 miles which follows the line of England's premier canal, linking the cities of London and Birmingham. Maps, statistics and gpx route file for the walk are included.

Google Maps Open Source Maps

Statistics and Files

Start: Little Venice

Distance: 145 miles (234 km)

Grid Ref: TQ262819

Climbing: 1,260 metres

Walk time: 50-70 hours

Days: 9-14

GPX Route File

Google Earth File

About the Grand Union Canal

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

160 Windsor, Weybridge and Bracknell
161 London South
172 Chiltern Hills East, High Wycombe, Maidenshead and Rickmansworth
173 London North
181 Chiltern Hills North, Aylesbury, Berkhamstead and Chesham
182 St Albans, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead and Welwyn Garden City
192 Buckingham and Milton Keynes
207 Newport Pagnell and Northampton South
220 Birmingham, Walsall, Solihull and Redditch
221 Coventry, Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa and Kenilworth
222 Rugby and Daventry
223 Northampton, Market Harborough, Brixworth and Pitsford

Summary: The Grand Union Canal Walk runs along the length of the canal which links England's two biggest cities from Little Venice in Paddington into the heart of Birmingham. As it links the two major English cities it was a major transport link before the coming of the rail and road travel. These days the canal is almost exclusively used by pleasure craft and the towpath by the pleasure craft persons and by leisure and long distance walkers.

Useful Links:
Canal and River Trust
British Walks
Long Distance Walkers Association

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