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North Wales

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – Llangollen Canal Lift Bridge loop from Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United Kingdom

Wales

North Wales

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – Llangollen Canal Lift Bridge loop from Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Easy

4.1

(7)

hikers

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – Llangollen Canal Lift Bridge loop from Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

00:55

3.33km

60m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 18, 2026

Tips

Includes a movable bridge

Check opening times.

After 3.06 km for 7 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

891 m

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Highlight • Historical Site

This famed 'stream in the sky' 18-arched engineering marvel designed by Thomas Telford and the lesser known William Jessop is simply fantastic. I was lucky enough to have visited this along with the equally impressive Aqueduct of Segovia in Spain in the same month. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites but Pontcysyllte is unique because you can traverse the entire length on foot and by boat. It's amazing to watch kayakers and boaters bob across this aerial waterway against a beautiful lofty backdrop.

The setting is stunning; the aqueduct is breathtakingly impressive and foot access via nearby car parks is easy. There is an all-day £3 parking charge and there are toilets in the smaller car park at Trevor Basin. There is also a small cafe on one side of the canal and a cute little visitor centre on the other side. The visitor centre has friendly staff and a small one-room display that contains a TV display, information boards and some interesting engineering artefacts.

Overall, it's a top attraction that's well worth visiting. I recommend seeing it as part of an 11-mile (18 km) out-and-back hike along the canal to Llangollen.

Tip by

897 m

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Highlight • Historical Site

NOTE: Cyclists will have to dismount and walk their bikes over Pontcysyllte & Chirk aqueducts. It would be also prudent to walk the longer tunnels.

The aqueduct itself is a pioneering masterpiece of engineering conceived by Thomas Telford. It is the highest canal aqueduct in the world and as such has magnificent views. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tip by

1.08 km