Grade: 1-4 plus weirs
The River Kent section from Scroggs Bridge to Burneside is Grade 2/3 (4) plus weirs.
From Burneside to Kendal is Grade 1-2 (take note of Gooseholme Weir).
From Scroggs Weir to Sedgwick Bridge is Grade 4.
Popular with white water paddlers, the River Kent in Cumbria stretches around 20 miles from source.
It is a designated a Special Area of Conservation, mostly because it is an important habitat for the endangered White-clawed Crayfish.
It runs from Kentmere into Morecombe Bay, tracing the boundary of the Lake District National Park.
The river generally flows from north to south, and passes through popular locations including Kendal and Sedgwick.
It is at this point near Sedgwick that the river passes through a rock gorge. This section is popular with white water paddlers when there has been heavy rainfall.
White water on the River Kent
Before paddling the River Kent you should check the water levels as there are a few weirs and white water sections on this river, ranging from grade 1 to grade 4. See map above for more.
Care should be taken when paddling to ensure you are comfortable with the gradings. Learn about gradings here.
Apart from the white water sections, which is why this river is quite popular with paddlers, you will also notice an abundance of mills in all their forms.
From now derelict to good condition, the river was popular with mills in the gunpowder, wool and paper industry.