Chirk Aqueduct Walk

We have all heard of the Thomas Telford aqueduct at Poncysyllte, the "Stream in the Sky", that enabled the canal to cross the Dee Valley in 1801. However, Thomas Telford built another aqueduct to cross the Ceiriog Valley at the same time and, though this is not of the same height or length, it is still a very impressive sight and proves to be a really good walk. You can park in Chirk village, where there is much to see including the National Trust Castle and a fine church.

This is the view from above the tunnel on the north side

There is a decent walkway along one side of the canal. If you have vertigo, don't come.

Just immediately west of the canal is the main railway line, connecting Shrewsbury to Chester. It is much higher than the canal and the suggestion is that this was deliberately so built to prove the superiority of rail over canal - a ridiculous idea.

There are fine views through the arches to the valley bottom below.

 

At the north end the canal disappears into a tunnel. You can continue your walk through the tunnel and all the way to Pontcysyllte and then to Llangollen.