River Exe and Exeter Ship Canal Loop 3 : Countess Wear to Topsham Paddle Trail

1-2 hours

Duration

3.2 miles

Distance

One Way

Very Easy

Difficulty

EX2 7EQ

Start Postcode

EX2 7EQ

End Postcode

A. Put in on the river and turn right, downstream. Keep to the left side of the river to avoid any salmon anglers.

B. To your left is Old Sludge Beds Nature Reserve; once the resting place for much of Exeter's treated sewage. Today the Old Slug Beds is a more welcoming place to wildlife and people.

C. After around a mile you will pass under the M5 road bridge and enter the edges of Topsham.

D. Past Topsham, you now have Exe Reed Beds Nature Reserve to your left. Look out for a wide variety of wading birds and other wildlife.

E. At just over 1.6 miles you arrive at your crossover point for the canal. Get out on the right side of the river, on the stone steps by Topsham Lock Cottage.

F. Walk across to the canal and get in via the landing stage.

G. Follow the canal back to your start point.

Discover More

This is loop three of four on the River Exe and Exeter Ship Canal. You can combine all four loops to make a scenic 10.5-mile day trip.

500 years ago, Topsham was an important port and boat-building area, more important than Exeter itself. When visiting, it is worth taking time to stroll around the town to view the historic buildings. You could also visit the heated, open-air swimming pool!

The Exeter Ship Canal is one of the oldest artificial waterways in the UK. First built in the 1560s, it underwent many improvements over the centuries and finally fell out of commercial use in the 1970s. It runs from the centre of Exeter out to the River Exe estuary.

The Exe Estuary is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is important for wading and migrating birds. The RSPB have two nature reserve areas on either side of the estuary.

Licence Information

The waterways on this trail do not require you to have a licence to paddle on them. However, if you paddle regularly and want to explore more places to paddle, you could consider becoming a member of Paddle UK. You’ll get a whole range of benefits as an On The Water member, including an annual licence to paddle on 4,500km of Britain’s waterways, liability insurance, and great discounts on paddling related products. Join today at 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.