Paddle It

The Kendal to Lancaster Towpath Trail offers great places to paddle without navigating locks.

Experience the change of pace between Lancaster city centre and the peaceful northern stretches (disconnected from the main navigable canal so no need to dodge canal boats!).

And don’t forget the bustling market towns in-between, such as Bolton-le-Sands and Carnforth.

Whether a rural pace or an urban buzz is your thing – all parts of the Towpath Trail provide classic canal side pubs to enjoy after a good paddle.

Canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding are all allowed on the Lancaster Canal by buying a licence. See options below.

Licence Options

You can buy a daily licence from around £5 per day here, via the Canal & River Trust who look after and keep the canal network open. You’ll be asked to create an account and the process takes 5-10minutes.

Or, if you’re keen to paddle regularly, it’s worth checking out British Canoeing’s Paddle UK website to consider an annual licence (£29-£47 for an individual, £68-£129 for a family, £85 for couples)

Stay Safe.

The Canal & River Trust have created useful guidance for paddling safely, available here.

The key things to remember are:

If you’re a beginner, make sure you’re accompanied by an experienced canoeist or paddle boarder to support you whilst you learn
Wear a life jacket, buoyancy aid and/or your paddle board leash while afloat
Know your route and the safest entrance and exit points
Know how to respect other canal users – always pass other crafts on the right hand side.
Ensure your canoe, kayak or paddle board is in good working order
Prevent the spread of non-native invasive species by checking, cleaning and drying your equipment before entering the water.

We recommend watching the ‘Paddler Code’ for a thorough understanding of how to respect, protect and enjoy paddling on the Lancaster Canal and other bodies of water.

ITINERARY IDEAS

Explore the Towpath Trail by water via these recommended routes

Discover ‘The Northern Reaches’ (Millness to Stainton)

Arguably the most unusual stretch of canal in the UK, this route takes in ‘The Northern Reaches’ of the Lancaster Canal. Separated from the rest of the network by the M6 you can enjoy a peaceful paddle where you're unlikely to meet many others.
Park at the Canal & River Trust car park at Millness and utilise the handy launch ramp.
Continue north taking in the recently restored Stainton Aqueduct until the canal is once again severed by a temporary bund.
There's space to store your board, canoe or kayak in the small car park whilst you explore a bit further on foot.
Return the same way and definitely call into the Crooklands Hotel for well-deserved refreshments.

Discover ‘The Northern Reaches’ (Millness to Stainton)

Arguably the most unusual stretch of canal in the UK, this route takes in ‘The Northern Reaches’ of the Lancaster Canal. Separated from the rest of the network by the M6 you can enjoy a peaceful paddle where you're unlikely to meet many others.
Park at the Canal & River Trust car park at Millness and utilise the handy launch ramp.
Continue north taking in the recently restored Stainton Aqueduct until the canal is once again severed by a temporary bund.
There's space to store your board, canoe or kayak in the small car park whilst you explore a bit further on foot.
Return the same way and definitely call into the Crooklands Hotel for well-deserved refreshments.

The Coastal Canal

Starting south of Hest Bank, use the launch point near Hasty Brow Road.
Continue north through Hest Bank and paddle parallel to the Coastal Road towards Bolton-Le-Sands taking in the sea views on a clear day.