This circular
route along 5 navigable canals owned by British Waterways, (and
1 other, the Bridgewater Canal, which is not a BW canal although
it does allow free access to BW registered boats).
The Ring is
97 miles long, has 92 locks and takes about 50 hours cruising
time. As a circular route, it is a favourite with hire boaters,
as it brings them back to the base starting point, easily within
a week.
It covers
the Macclesfield Canal, the Upper & Lower Peak Forest Canals,
the Rochdale Canal, the Ashton Canal, the Bridgewater Canal, and
a part of the Trent & Mersey Canal. From Worsley, it also offers
access to Leigh and Wigan via the
Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
The cruise
takes in most of the county of Cheshire, (hence the name) as well
as driving directly through Manchester city centre, and entering
the Peak District National Park towards Whaley Bridge. These stark
contrasts, no doubt, are essential factors in its popularity.
