A. Park at St Mark’s Gate car park (E9 5HT). Walk down the ramp and turn right, walking past Hertford Union Middle Lock No. 2. Put in and turn right. You will shortly arrive at the Top Lock where there is a short portage.

B. At just under 1 mile you reach the junction with the Regent’s Canal. Paddle under the bridge and turn left, heading past Mile End Park until around 2 miles, where your journey becomes built up on both sides.

C. There are 4 sets of locks with short portages on the left before you emerge into Limehouse Basin at 2.5 miles. This basin provides a link between the Regent’s Canal and the River Thames.

D. Turn left into the basin, passing Moo Canoes boat hire on your right. Head straight on and into the Limehouse Cut and under a small footbridge. Take care to avoid traffic using the tidal lock on your right-hand side.

E. Pass under the bridge carrying the DLR line above you. This is a very urban landscape with impressive graffiti tracking your passage.

F. Continue under the A12 before arriving at Bow Locks. These locks link tidal Bow Creek with the Lee Navigation. You do not pass through these locks but continue your journey on the Lee.

G. Pass under the A118 Bow flyover and continue straight on the Lee Navigation. You will now see the various impressive and famous sporting venues of the London Olympic Park on your right.

H. At Old Ford Lock at 5.3 miles, the River Lea heads off to the right. You will need to portage the lock to continue straight. This can be a tricky portage due to the height of the locks. Back on the canal, it’s only a short paddle to a left turn back to your start point.