Red River Guiding deliver expedition training and guided open canoe expeditions throughout the UK and further afield. Experts in remote and wilderness environments, a professional and expertly guided expedition awaits participants of all levels. Using a proven formulae of delivery, learn how to plan, prepare and participate in expeditions where you will flourish in your chosen environment. Choose from a selection of established expedition options or discuss a bespoke solution tailored to your specific aims and objectives!
A principal river of the Peak District National Park, the River Dove is probably most famous for the stepping stones across it at Dovedale. This 45-mile stretch of river actually offers much more than stepping stones and a great view of Thorpe Cloud. Rising in the moors near Buxton, the…
The Trent and Mersey canal is one of the longest canals in the country. Stretching 93 miles from Cheshire, through Staffordshire and Derbyshire, it’s a stretch that can be paddled from many different access points. There’s something for everyone along the Trent and Mersey canal. And, like many of the…
Grade: 1 (up to 2 in parts in high waters) Distance: 94.8 miles The 3rd longest river in the UK at 185 miles long, the River Trent is one of the major rivers in the Midlands. The river rises in the Staffordshire moors and flows through much of the midlands…
Grade: 1-3 The River Derwent in Derbyshire is a beautifully scenic river cutting right through the heart of the Peak District. It drops down through the World Heritage site of the Derwent Valley, through Matlock and Cromford. From here it flows through to Derby before joining the River Trent further…
Running for 38 miles in the West Midlands, the Coventry Canal is one of the great survivors of the canal network. After heavy bombing during the blitz, it almost didn’t survive. In fact, if it wasn’t for a group of hard working volunteers, the canal would have been lost years…
The Ashby Canal, (or Ashby-de-la-Zouch canal officially, despite never quite reaching the town) is a canal that keeps on giving in terms of flora, fauna and history! Along it’s 22 mile stretch there are no locks, which means no portages along this beautiful stretch either… another win. So what makes…
The 14.5 mile Cromford Canal is a wildlife paradise to paddle along. It starts at Cromford in the shadow of an old cotton mill once owned and run by Richard Arkwright. It once ran all the way south to Ambergate where it met the Erewash Canal and filtered through to…
The Erewash canal is a great way to explore the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire countryside in a unique way. As you paddle along you will glide right through the heart of the DH Lawrence countryside. You paddle through a range of habitats perfect for nature lovers. The canal begins in Langley…
The 24-mile River Soar, or Soar Navigation, flows and weaves its way through the Leicestershire countryside. It provides a lovely day paddle for those who love to just get out on the water. Although the river does flow through Leicester itself, most of the river is actually through the countryside…
A lovely way to explore the West Midlands countryside, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal skirts around Birmingham but never really becomes urban. Great for those situated close to the city but wanting a little peace and quiet on their paddle! The canal is 46 miles long with 43 locks along…
The 18-mile Caldon canal stretches from the heart of Stoke-on-Trent into the Staffordshire countryside. It provides a welcome escape and a blue gym escape from busy city life. The canal has a total of 17 locks along its route, but most of these are grouped into sections of 3 or…
The Birmingham and Fazeley canal is rather typical of many canals. It speaks the language of the industrial revolution and keeps the yesteryear heritage alive. The canal is 15 miles long, has a whopping 38 locks along it, and links to the Coventry Canal at Tamworth. It then climbs its…
As the name suggests, the Grand Union Canal Loughborough Navigation forms part of the Grand Union Canal at Loughborough. Just above North Lock at Leicester, the Grand Union Canal becomes the River Soar. The Soar flows from the River Trent at Trent Lock and flows through the city of Loughborough.…
The Nottingham and Beeston Canal is a relatively short paddle at just 2.5 miles long with 3 locks. The canal flows straight through the city of Nottingham, directly under the towering, old British Waterways building, past the court system and past the very popular waterfront venue where you’ll notice hundreds…
Often referred to as the 'Curly Wyrley', the Wyrley and Essington Canal flows through suburbs, countryside and mining heritage. It's 16 miles long with no locks to portage. Opened in 1797, the canal once provided a vital link for the coal fields in the area. Its nickname ‘the Curley Wyrley’…
The Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal is one of the longer arms or branches of the canal. The river Soar flows into the Leicester Arm just above the city of Leicester. The canal then continues through the very heart of the city, flowing through sprawling countryside with a…
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