Chirk Tunnel

Chirk Tunnel is a canal tunnel stretching around 421 meters beneath the landscape with brick-lined walls throughout its passage. A continuous towpath runs alongside the waterway, allowing pedestrians to walk through the entire length of the tunnel.

The tunnel was built between 1794 and 1802 by William Jessop and Thomas Telford as part of the Ellesmere Canal network. It was among the earliest canal tunnels in Britain to feature a continuous towpath for workers and pedestrians.

The tunnel represents a milestone in British engineering, as it was among the first canal tunnels in Britain to incorporate a full-length towpath.

The passage is completely dark inside, so bring a flashlight or torch when walking through. Boats operating here are required to display lights while moving through the tunnel.

The tunnel's design allows narrowboats to navigate through while maintaining a consistent water depth of approximately 1.5 meters throughout its length.

Location: Chirk

Elevation above the sea: 105 m

GPS coordinates: 52.93139,-3.06500

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:27