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Standedge Tunnel – View of Diggle loop from Saddleworth

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Standedge Tunnel – View of Diggle loop from Saddleworth

Moderate

4.0

(1)

riders

Standedge Tunnel – View of Diggle loop from Saddleworth

01:29

18.2km

340m

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: May 12, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 16.1 km for 128 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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605 m

Dobcross Village Centre

Highlight • Settlement

The village of Dobcross, though hilly, attracts many visitors to Saddleworth. It's like a picture perfect village frozen in time.

In 1979, Dobcross gained some Hollywood fame when scenes for the movie "Yanks," starring Richard Gere and Vanessa Redgrave, were filmed there. This led to an annual military-themed celebration in Saddleworth, which continues today.

Like the rest of Saddleworth, Dobcross was once part of the West Riding of Yorkshire and relied on woolen cloth manufacturing for its livelihood.

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2.86 km

View of Castleshaw Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

8.01 km

Standedge Tunnel

Highlight • Structure

The tunnel itself is the longest and deepest canal tunnel in Europe. It was built between 1793 and 1811 during the height of the canal transport in England. Built under the hills of the Pennine national park, the tunnel is three miles long and was built only 7ft wide without any tow paths running along the edge of the canal. During this time the horses that pulled the canal boats would walk over the hills via Boat lane stopping for a drink at The Diggle Hotel. When first opened the men on the narrow boats used to leg through the tunnels to meet their horses in Marsden.

During the construction of the tunnel, workers from the Diggle end would stay over night in the Diggle Hotel

The term legged, meant that the men on the boats would push their way through the tunnel from the side of the boat. The trip taking approximately 4 hours would give time for their horses to walk over the hills along Boat lane, and meet the boat in Marsden at the other end of the tunnel.

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