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    There’s less than a month to go to enter the fabul There’s less than a month to go to enter the fabulous 5 Miles with Smiles Challenge!

We’re delighted to be one of the partners, aka “smile-makers”, helping to raise awareness of this brilliant challenge and encouraging more people to get out, get creative and enjoy a little adventure.

The idea is simple: plan a journey of up to five miles and think about how you can bring a smile to people you meet along the way.

Walk it, wheel it, cycle it, paddle it, scoot it or run it. However you choose to travel, the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail could be the perfect place to plan your route.

You could take on five miles with your family, head out with friends, plan a dog-friendly adventure, enjoy a canal-side cycle, paddle a peaceful stretch of water or turn your journey into a mini challenge with costumes, compliments, waves, cake stops or a good old-fashioned picnic.

Capture the best moments from your journey, share your photos or a video on Facebook or Instagram and tag @5MilesWithSmiles to enter.

There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs, and even better, you’ll be making fantastic memories along the way.
    One of the things we care about most is helping mo One of the things we care about most is helping more people feel confident getting out and enjoying the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail.

So we were delighted to receive this lovely feedback from a recent visitor who got in touch with us before their trip to ask about wheelchair accessibility:

“Thanks to your very helpful reply, my husband and I had a lovely day exploring south from the Millness car park. We can definitely recommend the quality of the footpath for wheelchairs and we are already looking forward to venturing north sometime soon.”

Messages like this mean such a lot to us. We know that planning an accessible day out can sometimes mean needing a little more information before you set off, particularly around surfaces, access points, gradients or facilities.

There’s lots of accessibility information available on our website "Access It" page to help you plan your visit, but if there’s anything you’re unsure about, please do get in touch with us through our contact page.

We’ll always be happy to help where we can so you can plan your Towpath Trail adventure with a little more confidence.

And a huge thank you to our lovely visitors for sharing their experience and photos with us. We hope to see you exploring north very soon 🫶👩‍🦽
    Autumn is a brilliant time to take on our DIY Lanc Autumn is a brilliant time to take on our DIY Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail Challenge. 🍂

The cooler days make longer walks feel that little bit easier, the towpath is full of changing colour, and there’s something pretty special about following the canal with golden leaves underfoot and softer autumn light on the water.

The challenge takes you from Kendal to Lancaster, and we recommend giving yourself 2 or 3 days so you can enjoy it properly rather than rushing from A to B.

And once you’ve completed the route, you can download your certificate and challenge logo to celebrate and share your achievement.
So if you’ve been looking for an autumn adventure with a little more purpose, this could be it.

Head to our website to start planning your Kendal to Lancaster challenge.

📍 Kendal to Lancaster or Lancaster to Kendal
🥾 Around marathon distance 43.6km / 27 miles
🛏️ Perfect for a multi-day stay-over challenge
🚶 Walk it or run it
🌿 Complete the full Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail

Plan your route on our “Walk it” web page.

#VisitKendal #VisitLancaster #UKCanalWalks
    Last month we worked in partnership with @cumbriaw Last month we worked in partnership with @cumbriawildlifetrust and Canal & River Trust plus lots of lovely volunteers to complete Stage 1 of our biodiversity upgrades along the Towpath Trail.

Thanks so much to everyone who came down to support us it was a fantastic community event and great to see so many people taking pride of their local green spaces!

We are now looking for volunteers to help us carry out stage 2 of our biodiversity upgrades along the Towpath Trail in Kendal.

Stage 2 - 1st October 2026 |  10:00am - 12:00pm |  Volunteer day to help "plug planting"
Kendal canal path, Station Road LA9 6BT

This opportunity is open and accessible for anyone to join and Cumbria Wildlife Trust have tools which enable people to plant whilst standing or sitting.

If you can help please contact Caitlin Fox : pollinators@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
    Could you walk 13 miles through the night? On Fri Could you walk 13 miles through the night?

On Friday 16th October, supporters of charity @mannahousekendal will be doing exactly that, taking on an overnight walk along the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail from Kendal towards Crooklands and back again.

But this challenge has a much deeper meaning. For people sleeping rough, night time can be when they feel most vulnerable. Rather than settling down to sleep outside, some will keep moving through the night to stay alert and feel safer, leaving them physically and mentally exhausted the following day.

"Walk a Mile in Their Shoes" is an opportunity to experience just a small glimpse of that reality while raising much-needed funds to help Manna House keep its doors open.

Based in Kendal, Manna House provides practical help, advice, advocacy and a welcoming community for people experiencing homelessness, insecure housing and other challenges. From meals and housing support to showers, laundry facilities and somewhere to simply feel heard, their work makes a real difference to people across our local community.

Participants will be led by local MP @tim_farron and are being encouraged to raise at least £100 each, with every donation helping Manna House continue its vital work.

Find out more and get involved on the Manna House website > https://www.manna-house.org.uk/walk-a-mile-in-their-shoes/
    This week we're saying a warm, cosy welcome to Aut This week we're saying a warm, cosy welcome to Autumn 🍂

As day and night find their balance, the towpath begins to shift into one of its most beautiful seasons.

We're looking forwards to golden leaves underfoot, softer light on the water, hedgerows full of colour and that lovely crisp feeling in the air. It’s the perfect time to slow down and enjoy the trail in it's full Autumn glory.

Whether you’re walking, cycling, wheeling, running, paddling or simply taking a quiet moment by the canal, the Towpath Trail is a wonderful place to welcome the change in season.

Take it gently, notice the little things and enjoy the beauty of autumn along the water.

📸 Photo 1 - Ian Greene Photography
    The Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail is a beautifully The Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail is a beautifully green corridor that is home to a real diversity of wildlife and natural habitats, and our mission is to keep it that way 🫶

But we need your help. Canal & River Trust created The Towpath Code to help everyone using the towpath to maintain, respect and appreciate the biodiversity of the Towpath Trail.

RESPECT 👊
- Be prepared and take litter home with you. There aren’t many bins on the Towpath Trail
- Always bag dog poo to either bin or take home with you.
- Leave gates as you find them. Please always close all gates behind you. 
- The Towpath Trail can be narrow in places, share the space respectfully by following The Towpath Code.

PROTECT 🥰
- To avoid disturbing habitats, please ensure that you;
- Keep dogs under close control.
- Follow the signs and stick to the main paths.
- Don’t light fires or BBQ’s. 

ENJOY 🥳
By following the Towpath code the Towpath Trail will be more enjoyable for all!
    Can you fish along the Lancaster Canal? 🎣 Yes, yo Can you fish along the Lancaster Canal? 🎣

Yes, you can enjoy fishing along parts of the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail, but there are a few things to know before you cast a line.

From rod licences and local permits to club memberships and fishery rules, it’s always worth checking the correct information for the stretch of canal you’re visiting.

The canal is home to a lovely mix of freshwater species, including roach, bream, perch, carp, tench, gudgeon and pike. You might even be lucky enough to catch a larger carp, pike or tench if the conditions are right.

As always, please fish responsibly. Keep the towpath clear, take litter and discarded tackle home, be mindful of wildlife and other trail users, and follow local rules.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or simply curious about trying something new, fishing can be a peaceful way to enjoy the Lancaster Canal at a slower pace.

Save this post for your next canal-side visit and find out more on the @canalrivertrust website.
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