Introduction
We have a variety of rivers to suit most paddlers. Whether you’re looking for something at the lower end of the scale, where rivers like the Eden or Lower Derwent could be an attraction, or slightly more challenging white water consider the Greta, Leven, Lune, Kent, Sprint and others, or the extreme end of creeking where Aira Beck or Langstrath Beck and many others could be your thing!
Cumbria is the wettest area of England, but most of our rivers, except those that are outflows from lakes, rise and fall rapidly. Refer to the river gauge levels to find the conditions you're likely to encounter.
Check out Stuart Miller’s “Canoe and Kayak Guide to North West England” as a first port of call in your planning. But remember we had extreme flooding in the winter of 2015 which has changed the features and risks on some of our more challenging rivers – so it is worth checking on the various paddler Facebook pages, the latest hazards section of this website, as well as on sites such as UK Rivers Guidebook or UK Whitewater Kayak Guides for the most up to date comments from paddlers.
Please also take note of Access Arrangements which are there to help maintain equitable shared access to rivers. Links to any access arrangements or notes are included in the river entry.
Cumbria is the wettest area of England, but most of our rivers, except those that are outflows from lakes, rise and fall rapidly. Refer to the river gauge levels to find the conditions you're likely to encounter.
Check out Stuart Miller’s “Canoe and Kayak Guide to North West England” as a first port of call in your planning. But remember we had extreme flooding in the winter of 2015 which has changed the features and risks on some of our more challenging rivers – so it is worth checking on the various paddler Facebook pages, the latest hazards section of this website, as well as on sites such as UK Rivers Guidebook or UK Whitewater Kayak Guides for the most up to date comments from paddlers.
Please also take note of Access Arrangements which are there to help maintain equitable shared access to rivers. Links to any access arrangements or notes are included in the river entry.
Rivers
There are too many paddleable rivers in the Cumbria to give a complete listing here. Our aim is to give a flavour and introduce the most popular trips at different grades.
Check out the references above to get details on all the rivers in the region.
Check out the references above to get details on all the rivers in the region.
EdenGrade 2/3; 8km
Access: From car park above Lazonby Bridge (NY550402). Egress: Right bank below Armathwaite bridge (NY394764) Runnable at most levels but aim for the gauge at Great Corby to be 1.0 for a reasonable trip. Beware Armathwaite Weir at very high levels. |
There are many sections that can be run on the Eden, one of the longest rivers in Cumbria, but the most popular is from Lazonby to Armathwaite, often done in open boats and by relatively novice groups. It is flatish with a couple of entertaining rapids, and runs through a lovely wooded sandstone gorge. Inspect Armathwaite Weir, it is runable on the left, and on the right but there is a retentive stopper to avoid. Can be portaged over the island river centre except at very high levels. There are some long flat stretches, but this trip is mainly grade 1/2 with a few harder rapids interspersed. |
GretaGrade 3; 8km
Access: From Threlkeld Bridge (NY314247). Egress: To High Hill Industrial Estate - Left bank (NY264240) Runnable at most levels but aim for the gauge at Low Brierly to be 0.9 for a fun trip. |
A fantastic little river with bags of excitement and features to play on and enjoy. Until recently there were no major hazards, but the floods of 2015 moved big sections of the river changing its nature (still very entertaining...) , collapsing a number of bridges into the river (now all removed), and left a lot of trees and other detritus on the river bed much of which is still there. So you need to look at the latest reports from the LDNPA and on UK Rivers Guidebook and on our Latest Hazards page if you haven't paddled it since the changes.
The river flows through a steep wooded valley until it flattens out somewhat as it comes into Keswick. It starts gently until Glendaterra Beck joins from the right when a fairly continuous series of grade 3 rapids can be enjoyed all the way down to the start of Fitz Park in Keswick. There is a sensible access arrangement for the Greta which works well and which you should observe. This restricts paddling in November and December to spate conditions which can be judged by the Gauge at Low Brierly being above 1.1 and steady or rising. |
Upper DerwentGrade 1-3; 8.5km
Access: From Seathwaite Bridge (NY239129). Egress: Grange Bridge (NY253174) or Kettlewell NT Car Park on Derwent Water (NY267195) |
The Derwent is a jewel of Cumbrian canoeing rivers, with sections from steep beck at the very top, glorious Borrowdale valley paddling in the Upper Derwent, two lakes, Derwent Water & Bassenthwaite to tranverse, and a glorious lowland stretch onto the sea.
The Upper Derwent described here is often done in open boats. To run from the Seathwaite Bridge requires recent heavy rain. The bridge at Grange gives a good indication of the level higher up, the gauge at Ladore tends to lag the rise and fall of the upper stretch of the river which can be very rapid. At higher water levels trees may be a problem and some of the briges need care (Strands Bridge NY251137 & Rosthwaite New Bridge NY252151) . The route starts with the river channelled between walled banks, and proceeds though a series of rocky rapids of grade 2/3. After Strands Bridge the river is calmer until the grade 3 rapid at the Youth Hostel, which is often used as an alternative get in point. The rest of the descent to Grange is grade 2 with the only real challenge being where Stonethwaite Beck joins the river and causes a strong cross current and eddy that can catch the inexperienced. Scenary throughout is spectacular with views through the oak woods to the surrounding Borrowdale fells and crags. After Grange the river is mainly flat, but can have strong currents driving through the trees on the bank side. |
Middle DerwentGrade 1-2; 6km
Access: From Derwent Water Marina (NY253233) or Portinscale Bridge (NY253237). Egress: Low Stock Bridge (NY236268) or Blackstock Point (NY222274) Border EskGrade 3/4; 10km
Access: From car park on A7 north of Langholm (NY363849) into Ewes Water. Egress: Right bank below bridge at Canonbie (NY394764) Aim for the gauge at Canonbie to be 1.0 for a reasonable level. RothayGrade ; km
Access: From (NY314247). Egress: To (NY264240) Runnable at most levels but aim for the gauge at to be for a fun trip. BrathayGrade ; km
Access: From (NY314247). Egress: To (NY264240) Runnable at most levels but aim for the gauge at to be for a fun trip LevenGrade ; km
Access: From (NY314247). Egress: To (NY264240) Runnable at most levels but aim for the gauge at to be for a fun trip. KentGrade ; km
Access: From (NY314247). Egress: To (NY264240) Runnable at most levels but aim for the gauge at to be for a fun trip LuneGrade ; km
Access: From (NY314247). Egress: To (NY264240) Runnable at most levels but aim for the gauge at to be for a fun trip. |
There is a sensible access arrangement for the Middle Derwent which works well and which you should observe. This restricts paddling in November and December to spate conditions which can be judged by the white mark on the eastern foundation under Portinscale Foot Bridge, (NY 253238) . This corresponds to around 1.5 on the Portinscale gauge. Access to the river can be gained from any of the public access points on Derwent Water, or from Derwent Water Marina in Portinscale (launch fee payable) or from Portinscale Footbridge with parking in the adjacent cul-de-sac. The middle derwent is a flattish river, although beginners may still find the cyurrent driving them into trees and other obstacles. If you intend to paddle onto Bassenthwaite you need to obtain a permit, and avoid disturbing the SSSI at the SW head of the lake. The popular section of the river runs from Langholm to Canonbie ending with Hollows Weir (which should be inspected) and Hollows Mill rapid which can be demanding in high water.
This section is not in Cumbria - but is here because it drains into Cumbria, is close and tends to hold its level better better than many rivers further south, so is popular with Cumbrian paddlers ! There are some long flat stretches, but this trip is mainly grade 1/2 with a few harder rapids interspersed. Leading from Grasmere and through Rydal water – the River Rothay offers a spectacular journey over two lakes and then between the hills to Ambleside. The river is grade 2/3 and best suited to a small group due to the size of the river; often popular with groups of improvers – rather than beginners.
The River Brathay is a rare gem. Positioned in the Central Lake District with its stunning scenery – this river offers something for everyone; Beginners who are looking for an introduction to Whitewater can use the lower section, and for the more experienced paddlers there is Skelwith Force (Grade 5) and the park-and-play spot of the Looping pool.
The River level flows from Windermere at Newby Bridge and flows the road closely; allowing good access to this cracking river! A series of rapids, including a good play-wave and a Slalom course are spread over this short challenging run. Under the bridge the infamous Backbarrow Fall is challenging in all but low levels - and in high water should be avoided! Immediately after Backbarrow Fall there are two weirs that require respect and portaging too.
The River Kent is one of the longest rivers in the Lake District and as such offers a range of paddling options across its length. The river flows from the valley of Kentmere collecting water along the way before passing through Kendal. There are a number of sections that are suitable for less-experienced paddlers with Grade 2/3 and then the lower section for the more competent paddler with several sections of Grade 3/4.
The Lune is the third longest river in Cumbria - with a length of nearly 45 miles. Like other similar rivers – it offers a good range of paddling options; from the Tebay Gorge with its drops and short rapids; to lower down with flatter more gentler sections. The Killington Bridge to Rawthey Confluence section is a popular spot for developing white-water skills – although a couple of weirs here require inspection and portage. The Halton Rapids section is another popular park and play section – which holds its level long after the rain has stopped falling.
halton_rapids_briefing_note_may_2022.pdf |
