The River Derwent in Yorkshire is a 71 mile long river popular with touring and white water paddlers.
It rises in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, which is an incredible moorland with dense heathland and heather.
There are several nature reserves along the river and as you paddle along, you can enjoy a flora and fauna rich heaven!
You should be aware of the several features of the river before paddling. In sections, the Derwent is quite deep and susceptible to undercurrents.
There are also some stretches of grade 2-3 rapids and weirs along the route. See the map above for more on these. These include Howsham weir, which is a popular playboating spot.
River Derwent in Yorkshire – Geology
The River Derwent in Yorkshire is quite an interesting river in terms of history. If you’re interested in the geology, it flows through several types of rock and land formation. Some dating back to the Jurassic and Triassic period!
This interesting rock formation has helped shape the features of the river today. As you paddle through, you will notice how the river changes in many sections where it flows through the different ages.
At its source on the Moors it runs over Corallian limestone from the Jurassic period. Meanwhile, the Vale of Pickering contains a series of limestones and sandstones.