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The Rochdale Canal runs for 33 miles between Manchester and Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, UK. In Sowerby Bridge it connects with the Calder and Hebble Navigation. In Manchester it connects with the Ashton and Bridgewater Canals.

The canal was opened between Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden and from Manchester to Rochdale in 1799 and between Todmorden and Rochdale in 1805. Most of the canal was closed in 1952. Restoration work began in late 1980s and by 1996 the canal was opened to navigation once again between Sowerby Bridge and the summit level. The canal was re-opened to navigation along its entire length in July 2002 and forms part of the South Pennine Ring.

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A 98 mile long route following the towpaths along six historic canals of various ages and character. The canals are, anticlockwise from Macclesfield, Macclesfield Canal to Marple; Peak Forest, Ashton and Rochdale Canals into Manchester to join the Bridgewater Canal at Castlefield to follow it to Preston Brook; Trent & Mersey Canal to Hardings Wood Junction near Kidsgrove; Macclesfield Canal back to the start.