Bingley Ring: River Aire & Leeds Liverpool Canal Paddle Trail

1-2 hours

Duration

3.8 miles

Distance

One Way

Easy to Moderate

Difficulty

BD16 2QE

Start Postcode

BD16 2RD

End Postcode

A. A good launching point is approx. 20ft upstream from the metal gantry. Immediately encounter Bingley Weir. If there is enough water you can shoot this to the far right. If not, then carry over. *A stopper with a long tow back develops at the weir base in high water. Always check the weir before you get on.

B. Once past the weir the river narrows and becomes more picturesque. Beware of low hanging trees.

C. The best course is down the centre of the river. At Myrtle Park be aware of the height of the metal bridge if the river level is high.

D. At 0.7 miles, Harden Beck joins from the right. There is an island in the centre of the river which should be passed on the right hand side. Look out for rocks here at low water.

E. 1.3 miles into your journey you will reach Cottingley Bridge. A quarter of a mile beyond here is a shingle bank. The current flows sharply to the left and under some trees - take care here, it is potentially dangerous.

F. After Hirst Wood Railway Bridge, at 2.3 miles, the river swings to the left and an eddy on the right enables an inspection of the water ahead. Check the broken weir and stepping stones before deciding how to proceed. Rocks lie below the surface

G. Just after the rapids the Seven Arches Aqueduct can be seen. Land on the right hand bank just after the small shingle bank on the left, well upstream of the aqueduct and preferably before the sewage works.

H. A track takes you to a small footbridge over a stream and onto the aqueduct. Put onto the Leeds Liverpool Canal here The cruise along the canal is the most tranquil part of your journey and takes a more direct route than the river.

I. Your only obstacle is Dowley Gap Locks, less than ¼ mile from the aqueduct. Portage to the left

J. Paddling down the canal the scenery gradually becomes more industrial as the centre of Bingley is approached.

K. Finish your journey at Bingley 3 Rise Locks. Get out on your left and carry your boat over the footbridge towards the A650. It is a 5-10 min walk back to your start point near the Brown Cow.

Discover More

Set in the foothills of the Pennines, the busy little town of Bingley is a good site from which to undertake a canoe trip. Bingley is a small town on the fringe of industrial West Yorkshire, Keighley being upriver, and the conurbation including Shipley and Bradford to the east. Much of Bingley is an island set between the river in the south and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal to the north. The industrial landscape of this part of the Aire Valley provides a picturesque and pleasantly surprising recreational canoeing experience.

Bingley Five Rise Locks are an iconic piece of 18th-century engineering and are the steepest flight of locks in the UK, rising 18 metres. The Canal and River Trust have named it as one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways.

The oldest building in Bingley is the Old White Horse Inn, just across the river from the put-in. When you come across some slalom poles hanging across the river, you have reached Wagon Lane, the home of Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club.

Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Bingley appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as “Bingheleia”.

Licence Information

The waterways in this trail are managed by the Canal & River Trust, and it is a requirement for paddlers to hold a licence. Paddle UK’s On The Water membership includes an annual licence for here as well as other waterways.

When paddling, have your membership card with you as proof of licence; otherwise, you could face a fine. Get your digital membership card straight away with your licence and liability insurance included from www.paddleuk.org.uk.

JOIN PADDLE UK

Safety Information

Always check the weir before you get on

We want you to have fun and a safe paddle! Here are some helpful tips to ensure you paddle responsibly and stay safe on your journey. Please take a moment to review these important safety tips:

– Always wear a correctly sized buoyancy aid

– Carry a mobile phone – in a waterproof case

– Tell Someone Where You’re Going

– Check the weather and conditions

– Know your limits

Check out some useful blogs and e-learnings on how to keep safe

Environment

Wherever and however you paddle, our Paddlers’ Code helps to ensure we can all enjoy and share the water safely and protect our precious environment.

Don’t get sick doing what you love. We know water quality is a concern for many paddlers. Click here for some simple advice on water quality and how to protect yourself.

Get informed, stay safe and make good decisions by checking the National Storm Overflow Map

Paddlers can play a vital role in keeping our waters free of harmful non-native species. It is crucial you Check, Clean and Dry you boat and equipment to prevent the spread. Click here for more information on Invasive Non-Native Species.

For more environmental advice and guidance, see our Blue Space Blogs section on the Paddle UK website.