A. Start from the small car park on Fen Road and set off left, downstream. You can either paddle as far as you feel able then turn round, or you could go right through to Ely in the day, allowing 6 - 8 hours for the journey.
B. Keep to the proper side of the river (right) to avoid collision with rowing boats. After just over a mile is Long Reach’, the location of The Bumps, a curious rowing tradition where a pursuing ‘eight’ has to ‘bump’ the boat in front to move up a place on the race ladder.
C. At the ‘Plough’ you need to change sides on the river and paddle on the left side, due to the need for visibility round the bend for rowers.
D. Reaching Baits Bite Lock (2 miles), there is an easy portage on the left bank.
E. The Bridge at Clayhithe, at just over 3.5 miles, is a nice spot to stop for food and refreshments. Past The Bridge, look out for sailing dinghies at weekends; this is the Cam sailing club’s reach.
F. At Bottisham Lock (4.7 miles) portage right. This is a horrible lock side made like a giant cheese grater, with small walls and railings making the portage even trickier. It is good to help one another here!
G. Once past the lock the Environment Agency is the navigation authority. Bottisham Lode goes off on the right soon after. If you want to explore the Lodes, they are all paddleable, but you will need the OS map to find your way.
H. At 6 miles, Swaffham Lode leaves on the right. The Lodes are believed to be Roman in origin, dug for barge transport as there were few roads in the Fens.
I. Reach Lode and the ‘Five Miles from Anywhere and No Hurry’ public house is at 8.25 miles on the right bank, with good landing it is worth a visit.
J. Popes Corner is at just over 11 miles and here the Cam joins the River Great Ouse.
K. If you fancy a different trip another day you can turn left here onto the Old West River and wind your way towards Huntingdon.
L. Carry straight on towards Ely along a fairly featureless and exposed section of Fenland River. Ely Cathedral is on the horizon for a long time and eventually gets closer.
M. Entering Ely you will reach The Cutter on the left. This is a nice spot to eat adn drink when you finish your journey.
N. Ely Waterside is busy with cruisers and rowing clubs; there is a slipway on Waterside (river left) but it is always foul with swan droppings and parking is limited, so we suggest you carry on through the city to Willow Walk to finish your journey.
Discover More
The River Cam rises at Ashwell in Hertfordshire and meanders to Cambridge, flows along the ‘Backs’ past the colleges and then on to join the Ely Ouse and thus on to Denver Sluice. It is regularly paddled from Hauxton and is a statutory navigation from Byron’s Pool. This trail is a day’s exploration downstream from Cambridge to Ely, starting from Chesterton, downriver from the centre, and in the north-east area of the city.
When planning a visit to these waters, it is advisable to check the events calendar for the major rowing regattas in the reaches between Chesterton and Baits Bite Lock. Events and other details for this waterway are listed at camconservancy.org. Please comply with instructions from race marshals; they will ask you to paddle between races. However, the section is best avoided during the larger race meetings (e.g. the Bumps).
There are many tourist attractions in and around the Cambridge area. If you fancy a weekend canoeing in Cambridge, then there is a paddler-friendly bed and breakfast very close to the launch area in Fen Road. Further useful information can be found on the following websites:
The waterways in this trail are managed by the Environment Agency below Bottisham Lock near Clayhithe, Cam conservators above Bottisham Lock to Mill Pit, 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.
Paddlers must adhere to the Conservators’ by-laws and conditions of registration (see camconservancy.org) which include clearly displaying an identification number (Paddle UK membership number) on both sides of the craft at all times.
Paddlers must carry their Paddle UK membership card with them at all times and present it if requested by a member of the Cam Conservancy.
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.
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
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.
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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