Lancaster Canal, The Glasson Ring Section 2 - Lune Aqueduct to Galgate Paddle Trail

2-3 hours

Duration

6 miles

Distance

One Way

Easy

Difficulty

LA1 3PE

Start Postcode

LA2 0LG

End Postcode

A. The walk from the car park to the canal is up a disability access ramp to the towpath sixteen metres above. The gradient is shallow but the distance is sufficient to be tiring if you are carrying a boat. A trolley is recommended.

B. Paddle in a southerly direction (the towpath will be on your right). As you leave the start you will paddle towards the beginning of the approach to Lancaster and its industrial past.

C. Enjoy a good view of St Peter’s graceful spire from Bridge 104, at just under 1.5 miles.

D. Many of the bridges you pass under have a special significance, for example bridge 101 bears the name of Joseph Clayton 1876 and Bridge 100 takes the towpath from right to left by an ingenious flyover. Horses did not need to be unhitched for this tricky manoeuvre, saving time and effort.

E. There are several canal side pubs on your journey such as White Cross and Gatehouse, followed by the popular Water Witch. Shortly after the Water Witch, Bridge 98 returns the towpath to the paddler’s right hand side.

F. Over the next 3.5 miles to Galgate the canal makes its way through open fields into a dark cutting which often has Kingfishers patrolling their territory.

G. The Marina and Canal Trust offices and the area of Galgate can be busy with narrow boats. It may be easier to get off the water a few metres further north, before you reach the marina by the car park at the back of the village hall.

Discover More

This trail is suitable for a wheelchair user with full bankside and on-water support. With construction of the Lancaster Canal starting in 1792, thought was given to a connection between it and the sea. John Rennie’s plans for a Glasson branch formed the basis for an act of Parliament which was obtained in May 1793. It was not until 1819 that the plans were revived when another act of Parliament was needed to raise additional finance. The estimated cost of the branch was £34,608, and work began in 1823. The 3-mile branch dropped 52 feet from Galgate, and the basic engineering was completed in December 1825.

Finish Information: Galgate Marina, Main Road, Galgate, Lancaster LA2 0LG. The area of Galgate can be busy with narrow boats. It may be easier to get off the water a few metres further north, before you reach the marina by the car park at the back of the village hall. South Galgate Marina is situated on the Lancaster Canal 1/2 mile north of Glasson Junction, between bridges 85 and 86. Parking is available at the Ellel Village Hall Main Road, Galgate, Lancaster, Lancashire, England, LA2 0LQ. Please park behind the hall near the canal and NOT the allocated car parking at the Village Hall.

An opportunity to encounter a wonderful mix of wildlife. Egrets, lapwing, redshank, curlew, oystercatchers, and many other birds can be spotted on this route. The Lancaster Canal is unique as it has been built along the natural lie of the land. Though the canal was once busy with cargoes from Kendal, Preston, and Lancaster, it was only connected to the national waterway network by the Millennium Ribble Link in 2002.

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

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.