Overview
A run that starts on the roads and then escapes the busy traffic lanes for the calm and serenity of the Leeds Liverpool Canal.
There’s options to explore historical spots and attractive green spaces on the Leeds Liverpool canal side. This route has been created and shared by the Hyde Park Harriers.
Wanting to find your way to the start of the route? Here is a link for a Google Maps Directions page.
This route has a distance of 8.05km and an elevation gain of 144m.
The largest non-stop incline begins towards the back end of of the route, and has a distance of 322m and an elevation gain of 17m. You can see this on the above elevation chart in red.
The largest continual decline is 238m long with an elevation drop of 15m which starts within the first kilometre of the route. This is shown on the chart as green.
Route Highlights
Running the first half of the route on the Leeds Liverpool Canal presents several opportunities to explore new places along the route. At Armley Gotts Park you can climb the 161 Victorian steps and admire the views back over Kirkstall at the top. You also pass Armley Industrial Museum which makes for a deep dive into the industrial past of Leeds.
Best Time To Run
The best time to run this one is during spring and summer. Running alongside the canal with the sun gleaming off the water can give any runner a little encouragement to keep going.
Route Description
Start the run by the Edge Leeds University. Jog down along Park Lane and downhill onto Kirkstall Road. Following the A58 Wellington Road you will cross the River Aire and run onto the Leeds Liverpool canal going west.
Now it’s just you and the canal for a nice long stretch, all the way past the Armley Mills. Just before coming off the canal you will pass Armley Gotts Park. At the Aire Valley Marina come off the tow path and onto Redcote Lane. You will take road all the way until you reach Kirkstall Road.
Climb the hill from the bottom of Kirkstall Road all the way up to Burley Road. Take this back towards the city centre and turn left at Leeds City College Park Lane campus. Run up Clarendon Road – it’s a beast of a hill! – past Woodhouse Square. And finish back up at the Edge.
Warnings
Take care when running on the canal. The canal towpaths can be slippery and wet when affected by rain and ice. And watch those tight corners through the underpasses – fellow runners and cyclists could be coming the other way!
Location
This run starts and finishes at Leeds University. It is on the edge of the city centre, by the General Infirmary hospital, in the financial district. In the last decade this area has expanded west of the city. You will notice the large scale Wellington developments as you cross Wellington Road towards the start of the run.
If you like running in this area, why not take a look at some other routes in similar areas. This route went through: Hyde Park and Kirkstall.
Amenities
The nearest toilet is in the Edge facilities at the start and end of the run.
Parking
The nearest car park is a paid one at the Woodhouse University Car Park, postcode: LS2 3AA (Google Map Directions)
Food and Drink
Once you’ve finished this run and you’ve worked up an appetite why not head down to Kirkstall Road for a My Lahore – a fast food Indian restaurant that does street food sized bites that are ideal for any runner wanting a recharge.
