Castleford Junction, Castleford to Whitley Lock PaddleTrail

Castleford Junction, Castleford to Whitley Lock PaddleTrail

3-6 hours
Duration
11 miles
Distance
One Way
Very Easy
Difficulty
WF10 2LN
Start Postcode
DN14 0JP
End Postcode
A. Leave the mooring points at Castleford Junction to pass under the Barnsdale Road bridge and paddle the short way along the canalised Aire and Calder Navigation to portage Bulholme Lock.

B. To your left at around one point eight miles are large wetland areas which house Fairburn Ings RSPB Nature Reserve.

C. Continue, with large lakes on your left, before passing under the A1(M) at just over three point five miles.

D. A large power station sits between you and the A1(M) as you approach Ferrybridge. Portage the lock here by taking the left-hand channel to the floating pontoon on the island and re-joining the navigation below the lock.

E. At just under seven miles keep right where Bank Dole Cut heads off to your left, travelling under the A645 road bridge and continuing towards Whitley.

F. This part of the Aire and Calder Navigation is also known as the Knottingley and Goole Canal.

G. At just under ten point five miles pass under the M62 before exiting at Whitley Lock; the end of your journey. Take care to stay away from the overflow on the right of the trail as you finish.

Discover More

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.

This Trail Fairburn Ings was once an industrial coal face. But, after 60 years of transformation the nature reserve now provides a rich habitat for wildlife and birdlife throughout the year and is a great place for some serious wildlife watching. Three main trails meander through woodland and grassland bringing you closer to birds and wildlife.

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 . 

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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:

– 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

Water Safety

Navigation eLearning

Tides eLearning

Weather eLearning

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.

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