Johnson's Hillock - Introduction to the Walk
This guide to the canal around Johnsons Hillock was written by the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society in 2007, with comments on what can be seen by members of Galloways society for the blind and partially-sighted, financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The information is merely to act as a guide to the heritage along the way. The walk follows established footpaths, but you must ensure your own safety during the walk.
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The walk starts by the former lock keeper's cottage at the top of the locks and follows the towpath down to the junction with the old Lancaster Canal main line. Four panels on this section will help you to discover and interpret how the canal operated in the days of horse boats. Crossing the main line at the bottom of the locks, the walk continues back along the towpath of the disused section of the canal which still contains water. The water ends at the first road bridge, now removed, and those just wanting a short walk can return to the fourth lock by this road. This is an easy walk on good surfaces, only the towpath alongside the disused canal is unsurfaced and can be muddy in wet weather.
The more adventurous can follow the footpath which eventually regains the line of the old canal, now filled in. Those following this section are recommended to wear good footwear. When the path reaches the motorway it can be quite slippy in wet weather as it descends steeply into the valley of the River Lostock. Afterwards you continue under the motorway in an unlit tunnel. At the far side is an old stone culvert under the old canal, and there are paths around the line of the old canal by which you could reach Whittle-le-Woods. However, our walk returns to the top of the locks, and you must retrace your steps under the motorway and follow the River Lostock until it reaches the road back up to the top of the locks. A plan of the walk can be found at the top of the locks.
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