Cycling along the Grand Union Canal

The following schedule shows which lengths of the towpath are open to cyclists. Please cycle with great care and courtesy to others, observing the Towpath Code of Conduct in London.

Paddington Arm

• Paddington to Great West Road (2 km): No cycling permitted.
• Great West Road to Ladbroke Grove: Cycle with care.
• Ladbroke Grove Sainsbury's to Alperton (9 km): Surface suitable for cycling. Popular with anglers - dismount during matches.
• Alperton to Bulls Bridge (10 km): Surface is poor in places and can get muddy. Access restricted at and under bridges, so dismount.

Main Line

• Brentford High Street to Norwood Top Lock (6 km): Dismount alongside lock chambers at Hanwell Locks.
• Norwood Top Lock to Bull's Bridge (3 km): Towpath is narrow and restricted - use adjacent road where possible.
• Bull's Bridge to Cowley Locks (7.2 km): Cowley Lock is popular at weekends - dismount at lock and alongside boats.

Please note: From Batchworth Lock in Rickmansworth cycling north, you will be required to have a British Waterways cycle permit.

• Cowley Lock to Berkhamsted Cowroast Lock (42.9 km): Popular with all users, take care - do not speed.
• Berkhamsted Cowroast Lock to Tring/Bulbourne (3.4 km): Take extra care - narrow towpath, muddy in wet weather.
• Marsworth Junction to Leighton Buzzard (Bridge 115) (10.3 km): Grass towpath - take extra care in wet weather. Popular with anglers.
• Leighton Buzzard to Willowbridge (Bridge 99) (12.5 km): Towpath recently resurfaced. One of the best lengths for cyclists.
• Willowbridge (Bridge 99) to Cosgrove (Iron Trunk Aqueduct) (20.6 km): No cycling permitted in Milton Keynes. Alternative routes are available via the broadwalk and leisure routes parallel to the canal.
• Cosgrove (Iron Trunk Aqueduct) to A508 (Lock 20) (10.4 km): Grass towpath may be uneven in places - risk of potholes.
• A508 (Lock 21) to Stoke Bruerne (0.9 km): Extra caution required - popular with walkers. No cycling by Canal Museum and up to Blisworth Tunnel entrance.
• Blisworth Tunnel (2.0 km): Take the road over Blisworth Hill, beware of traffic.
• Blisworth to Norton Junction (32.7 km): Take extra care - towpath narrow in places and can be muddy.
• Norton Junction to Braunston Top Lock (Bridge 5) (5.2 km): Section includes tunnel. No cycling permitted - alternative via lanes.
• Braunston Top Lock to Braunston Turn (1.4 km): Take extra care - popular with walkers.
• Braunston Turn to Ivy Bridge (1.5 km): Beware of moored boats.
• Ivy Bridge to Napton Junction (6.0 km): No cycling permitted - alternative via lanes.
• Napton Junction to Sydenham (Bridge 37) (14.9 km): No cycling permitted.
• Sydenham (Bridge 37) to Europa Way (Bridge 43) (2.4 km): Take extra care - towpath may be uneven. Do not speed.
• Europa Way (Bridge 43) to Waterfield (Bridge 73) (23 km): No cycling permitted.
• Waterfield (Bridge 73) to Barston Lane (Bridge 76) (1.6 km): Take extra care - towpath may be uneven. Do not speed.
• Barston Lane (Bridge 76) to Lode Lane (Bridge 81) (5.3 km): No cycling permitted.
• Lode Lane (Bridge 81) to Camp Hill Locks, Birmingham (Lock 52) (8.9 km): Take extra care - towpath may be uneven. Do not speed.
• Camp Hill Locks to Central Birmingham (5 km): Cycling permitted.

Wendover Arm

• Bulbourne Junction to Tringford (1.9 km): Take extra care crossing Turnover Bridge at New Mill.
• Tringford to Buckland Wharf (3.5 km): No cycling permitted - take alternative route along lanes through Aston Clinton.
• Buckland Wharf to Wendover (5.5km): Towpath available for cycling.

Aylesbury Arm

• Marsworth Junction to Aylesbury Basin (9.7 km): Take extra care - muddy ni wet weather, and usually busy with anglers and walkers. Dismount between locks 13 and 14.

Buckingham Arm

• Cosgrove to A5 (1.5 km): Take extra care - grass towpath may be uneven in places and slippery in wet weather.

Northampton Arm

• Gayton Junction to Cotton End, Northampton (7.5 km): Take extra care - narrow grass towpath, slippery when wet. No cycling between the A43 road bridge and the end of the arm (0.5 km).

Cycling routes

• Cycling in London »
• Cycling the Colne Valley Trail »

Towpath Stoppages