18
AUTUMNAL PADDLES
In Autumn , the different weather and water conditions make for an entirely new paddling experience than that of the calmer spring and summer months . As we wave goodbye to the summer sunshine and look ahead to beautiful autumnal paddles , here ’ s our guide on where to paddle to make the most of the stunning autumn scenery .
West Midlands
There are hundreds of miles of waterways weaving their way across the richly vibrant and diverse landscapes of the West Midlands . Many of these waterways were once at the heart of the industrial revolution meaning there is a wealth of history and heritage to explore .
Top Pick : Birmingham and The Black Country trails Explore the heart of the country by discovering the various paddling trails through flickering gold and red trees lining the routes through 46 miles of history and industrial heritage , from Brownhills in the north to Lapworth at the southern end . Trails for the Black Country and Birmingham can be found on our Go Paddling website :
gopaddling . info / autumn-paddle-adventures-top-5-scenic-places-topaddle /
We recommend the following trails : Birmingham Canals Route 1 ; Brownhills To Sneyd Birmingham Canals Route 3 ; Bentley Bridge To Dudley Crt Birmingham Canals Route 5 ; Cambrian Wharf To Shirley Drawbridge
Don ’ t forget , to access one of these trails in Birmingham & the Black Country you will require a Canal & River Trust waterways licence . With a
British Canoeing membership you will be covered to access these waterways .
South West
The South West is home to many beautiful beaches , coves and estuaries , providing the perfect playground for paddlers of all abilities .
Top Pick : Tor Bay , South Devon Tor Bay with its largely calm waters offers paddlers a great place to learn and build confidence along a stunning piece of coastline . You ’ ll also have the chance to encounter plenty of wildlife around the Bay too .
Paddlers can launch from any beach but you are strongly advised to avoid harbour slipways in the interest of public safety .
Cumbria & North West
The Lancaster Canal is an engineering masterpiece offering 41 miles of lock free paddling – the longest stretch in the country . The canal links Preston to Kendal and treats paddlers to the delights of Lancashire ’ s Silverdale Coast , and Forest of Bowland not to mention the quaint market towns you ’ ll weave through along the way . It ’ s one of the only coastal canal routes in the UK , so if you ’ re looking for a gentle paddle , no portages and beautiful scenery and views , the Lancaster Canal should be high on your hit list .
We recommend the following routes : Tewitfield To Canal Turn ( Carnforth ) Garstang to Glasson Branch ( No . 1 Lodge Hill Lock Bridge ) Treales To Cartforth . www . britishcanoeing . org . uk
All our trails mentioned above can be found on the Go Paddling website :