Birmingham & Black Country No.4: Dudley Canal Trust to Cambrian Wharf Paddle Trail

2.5-4.5 hours

Duration

9 miles

Distance

One Way

Easy

Difficulty

DY1 4SB

Start Postcode

B1 2AN

End Postcode

A. Leaving Dudley Canal Trust, head out onto the Birmingham Main Line Canal, keeping left toward Factory Junction. Pass
Malthouse Stables Activity Centre on your left.

B. Turn right under the footbridge towards the 3 locks. Easy egress on the left hand side. Short carry to the bottom of the last lock, carry over footbridge and launch from the corner of a low bank.

C. The route passes over several aqueducts and a number of junctions Firstly the Netherton Tunnel branch (at around 2.5 miles), followed by Albion Junction.

D. Next is Pudding Green Junction, where the Walsall Canal joins from the left. Note the islands, which housed the toll houses, where clerks would gauge and charge passing boats.

E. At just under 4.5 miles reach Bromford Junction, take the right branch, onwards to the Steward Aqueduct, notable for its double arches. Here old meets new and canal meets road as the Old Main line goes over the New Main line, with the M5 towering over both.

F. The Trail enters the Galton Valley, dug by hand over 200 years ago. At its deepest the cast iron Galton bridge spans overhead, once the highest in the world. At 5.6 miles pass through Galton Tunnel (115m) and onwards past Smethwick Junction, where the Old Line joins from the left. Follow straight ahead.

G. Pass under Engine arm Aqueduct at 6.2 miles; built to supply the canal with water and the original engine with coal (the original 'Smethwick Engine' is the oldest working steam engine in the world, built in 1779)

H. Continue on to the city centre, passing the unique Roundhouse stables building on the left, shortly before the National Indoor Arena and National Sea Life Centre.

I. Finish at Cambrian Wharf, which is reached by going straight ahead at the 'island' outside the arena. Pass under 2 bridges into the wharf.

Discover More

This trail follows the Birmingham Canal, via the New Main Line. This is a journey through history, with towering iron bridges overhead and peaceful sections inside deep embankments. This is trail 4 of 6 in a series, developed in conjunction with the Canal & Rivers Trust, which run through Birmingham and the Black Country. The trails are a variety of lengths and can be paddled at your leisure. Explore just one, or complete all six in a multi-day expedition.

At your start, the Black Country Museum is on the opposite side. Boat trips down the Dudley Tunnel by electric narrowboat can also be taken here. The Birmingham New Line was a 19th-century version of a motorway. Designed by Thomas Telford, it is a feat of engineering, intended to straighten out the course of the Old Main Line.

James Brindley’s 22½ mile engineering feat was opened in 1772, contouring and linking the Staffs & Worcester Canal to Birmingham. It was an immediate success, transporting goods and minerals into and out of Birmingham. It quickly became congested with traffic and by 1838, Thomas Telford had been appointed to shorten Brindley’s route, digging huge cuttings and embankments to maintain a continuous level. This trail follows Telford’s ‘New Mainline’ through the Galton Valley and under towering iron bridges.

Although the trail passes alongside much industry (old and new), there are sections of natural wilderness and genuine peace and quiet. Look out for signs of the many arms which came off the canal directly into factories.

Approaching the city centre, new buildings rise up. The Roundhouse was formerly stables, housing the horses who worked along the canal. The final few hundred metres past the National Sea Life Centre, National Indoor Arena, and numerous bars and cafes, are very enjoyable, especially at dusk, with the sights and sounds of a bustling Brindley Place!

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

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:

Tunnels: In tunnels, you must use a forward facing brightlight(such as a head torch).

– 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.