The C2C Route

The coast to coast route is made up of a series of eighteen trails. It’s designed to be travelled west to east, across the country; the recommended direction of travel considering prevailing wind direction and river flows.

The trails combine the Leeds Liverpool Canal and Aire and Calder Navigations to create a route stretching 162 miles across the north of England. Passing through villages, towns and cities that played a major part in the industrial revolution and textile industries, as well as enjoying the stunning scenery as you travel over the Pennines in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

The Leeds Liverpool Canal and Aire and Calder Navigation offer different paddling experiences. The Leeds Liverpool wanders gently, connecting its two two major namesake cities. It recently celebrated its bicentenary and is enjoyed by boaters and paddlers alike. The Aire and Calder is a commercial waterway, transporting goods and materials between the town of Goole and the city of Leeds. The navigation brings its own challenges, combining canalised navigation and river sections with large locks and high walls. PLEASE NOTE: It’s recommended that only more experienced paddlers or groups of paddlers with experienced coaches or leaders paddle on the river sections of the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Your start point, Eldonian Village, was formed at the site of the old Tate and Lyle factory, which closed in 1981. It’s a community run residential area which was created to provide good quality, affordable housing in a decent environment to local people. Travelling on the first 6 miles of the coast to coast route, you are mainly in built up, industrial areas. But these aren’t without their own history and beauty. The building of canals allowed these areas to grow and thrive, making Liverpool the city it is today. Local Facilities: Lock and Quay, Irlan Road, Bootle. Dog-friendly community, canal side pub.