Why Paddle?
Spend time in the ‘Blue Gym’ and get out onto the water with these top tips and routes for paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking. Paddling is the perfect low impact exercise, building your core strength whilst also providing a great cardio workout. Not only will you get an excellent workout, but you’ll also experience the added health benefits that come with exercising outdoors and the peaceful serenity of our UK waterways.
We’ve picked out a selection of paddle routes created by Paddle UK
Our Pick of the Best Paddle Routes in the UK
5k-10k Paddle Routes
10k-15k Paddle Routes
15k-20k Paddle Routes
Paddling and SUP Inspiration
Read More Inspiring Advice for Winter Wellness…
Gloucester & Sharpness; Purton to Sharpness Return UK Paddle Route
This trail on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal is an excellent place for a first paddling trip and is one of many along this historic canal. Glimpse the River Severn from the lower end of this canal and get chance to see the hulks sunk into the bank.
River Tees, Tees Barrage to Surtees Bridge & return UK Paddle Route
This part of the River Tees used to be tidal. The building of the Tees Barrage has now made this a quiet, green lake-like part of the river to paddle. This trail is the first of three trails starting from the Tees Barrage taking you through the modernised Stockton-on-Tees.
River Mersey: Heaton Mersey to Northenden UK Paddle Route
This trail covers the easiest 3.6 miles of the River Mersey from Heaton Mersey to Northenden. This section of the Mersey appears rural with development kept back by the floodplain. There is one weir and several small submerged rubble weirs. The river has enough water in dry weather and at high levels gives a brisk run with some bouncy bits
River Trent: Holme Pierrepont to Beeston Weir UK Paddle Route
This is a fairly easy trip to undertake. The Trent is broad and slow flowing, and the river through the city is thankfully very user friendly, and there is plenty to see.
Birmingham Canals Route – Brownhills to Sneyd UK Paddle Route
This first leg of the Birmingham & Black Country Canoe Trail meanders quietly along the Wyrley and Essington Canal, through suburbs, countryside and mining heritage. The Trail starts at Brownhills Canoe Centre, home of Royal Sutton Canoe Club, covering 10 miles along a historic canal.
River Lee Navigation: Hertford to Broxbourne UK Paddle Route
An easy trip down the Lee Navigation, towards London. This trip can be paddled as a one way, day trip or be broken down into three, out and back, trips. The Lee Navigation runs from rural Hertfordshire into the centre of London. It is a natural river which was improved for navigation under an Act of Parliament in 1767.
Broads; Barton Broad and Dilham Canal UK Paddle Route
Journey along the second largest broad in Norfolk which was dug for peat in the 13th century. The trail goes around the edge of the broad, up the River Ant, onto the disused North Walsham and Dilham Canal to the derelict Honing Lock; offering both wide expanses and the sheltered isolation of the abandoned canal.
Lake Coniston Circuit UK Paddle Route
Coniston Water is the third largest lake in the English Lake District, and one of the quietest and most unspoilt, being surrounded by high Lakeland fells. It has various unique attractions, being the lake that Sir Malcolm Campbell set his world water speed record in 1939, and with the Old Man Of Coniston towering above you’re bound to see something special!
River Thames and St Patrick’s Stream UK Paddle Route
This is a pretty circular route from Reading and back, using one of the best-known backwaters, St. Patrick’s Stream.