Portland Basin – Marple Aqueduct loop from Fairfield

Mountain biking trails

Portland Basin – Marple Aqueduct loop from Fairfield

Moderate

5.0

(2)

riders

Portland Basin – Marple Aqueduct loop from Fairfield

02:13

31.2km

190m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 27, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 8.96 km for 118 m

After 11.2 km for 153 m

After 14.4 km for 59 m

After 18.5 km for 59 m

After 21.6 km for 153 m

After 23.6 km for 97 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.25 km

Ashton Canal

Highlight • Viewpoint

Ashton Canal is kept nice and tidy. There are a few pot holes that need avoiding but the scenery is quite pleasant. Most of the architecture is restored Victorian.

Tip by

3.92 km

Portland Basin

Highlight • Settlement

Like many of Manchester's former industrial sites, Portland Basin has been turned into a nice residential area, complete with good cafe options. Well worth a stop off.

Tip by

4.42 km

Wega Bridge

Highlight • River

Be careful you don't get your tyre down the gap when going over the bridge.

Tip by

9.02 km

Hawthorn Dale Local Nature Reserve Entrance and Rest Area

Highlight • Trail

11.4 km

Woodley Tunnel

Highlight • Bridge

long dark and very low walking through is the safest option (cyclist dismount sign)

Tip by

15.0 km

Marple Aqueduct

Highlight • Bridge

Beautiful views all round, some good trails below.

Tip by

16.3 km

Lock No8

Lake

17.2 km

Lock No.3

Lake

31.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.6 km

10.4 km

2.86 km

2.55 km

2.24 km

1.45 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

10.3 km

9.85 km

4.98 km

2.93 km

2.78 km

257 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Thursday 15 October

13°C

6°C

42 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

October 3, 2021,Marple lock 16 and back with Michael

This was my first day out of the house after being ill with covid and Michael's first ride to Marple. We had a really surreal moment when going through the long tunnel on the way there as a barge came through with its light on and an old guy sat up front playing his trumpet. He said he couldn't resist …