Kayaking the Llangollen Canal

Starting at the Horseshoe Falls it took a couple of days to get out of Wales and across Shropshire to the Cheshire border at Grindley Brook. Crossing the Pontcysyllte and Chirk Aqueducts, as well as going through 2 long tunnels (Whitehouses Tunnel and Chirk Tunnel). The boat was a Dagger Charleston 14, accommodation an Alpkit Hunka XL bivvy bag. If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them in the comments below. Also if you have more suggestions for adventures let me know in the comments.

[@louiseparker7466]

What a fabulous distraction, thanks Robin

[@robinmager]

You're welcome Louise

[@MariaVarallo01]

Lovely, interesting and very relaxing. Loved the various edits and drone footage. So beautiful and to be able to camp out and get on the water at 5am is very special. Thank you

[@robinmager]

Glad you liked it. It's a great way to travel; no pack to carry, no hills to climb and all the while seeing the world from a new angle.

[@bearystwyth]

I was floating down the top end of the canal on Thursday whilst on a working in water course. Decided I’d come back with my kayak and found this video. Nice footage of the aqueducts 👍🏼

[@robinmager]

Glad you liked the aqueduct footage. It's still early days with the DJI mini, so hopefully I'll be able to include more drone footage in future videos.

[@helenscholes3143]

A lovely interesting watch, thanks Robin.

[@robinmager]

Glad you liked it Helen. Probably a bike vid next, but I have more canoe/kayaking plans... watch this space!

[@fred_up]

Great vid, ive been looking for new routes to paddle, and this has just made the list!!

[@robinmager]

I'm glad you liked the vid and it's given you some ideas. Top tips for easy access refreshments/supplies are the Poachers just south of Chirk, and Tesco Superstore at Ellesmere both right by the water.

[@pipstersim4421]

Great video. I live in Whitchurch and just recently bought myself a Sandybanks double Kayak which can also be used solo. I might have to give this trip a go.

[@robinmager]

Glad you liked the video. I recommend the route, lots of interest with the aqueducts and tunnels. I'm hoping to undertake another trip north from Grindley Locks and maybe another from Market Drayton to Chester.

[@markpearman2631]

I paddled across the aquaduct , had to wait for ages for others to cross. Never realised that It would be so busy

[@robinmager]

Yeah it's a pretty busy spot, and with a lot of novice / first time boaters you have to take extra care.

[@Morts81]

Did you have someone else with you along the pathway? I don't get where your bag is kept, did it fit inside your Kayak?

[@robinmager]

I just had someone at the start who did a little bit of filming. After that I was on my own until the pickup and Grindley Brook. The kayak has hatches front and back and you can get a load of stuff in there. The only thing that didn't fit in was the frame for the trolley/wheels, you can seen that strapped on the back. I think that I could take all I need for several weeks camping, as long as I could resupply with food and water every few days or so.

[@Morts81]

@@robinmager okay cool, I thought it would stored. I'm going kayaking along there in June but just for a day. Our plan is to go from Pontcysyllte to Chirk and then back to Pontcysyllte. Any tips or things to know? Thanks

[@robinmager]

@@Morts81 My advice would be take care of the narrow boats, they are not all manned by experienced crews! I would wait to follow a narrow boat across the aqueducts and through the tunnels. You really don't want to meet one coming the other way! Have a good headtorch for the tunnels. If you can start at the Trevor Basin and make it to the Poachers pub you'd get two tunnels and two aqueducts and they're the most exciting parts of the whole journey. I believe food is available at both the Telford Inn and the Poachers. In theory you should have a licence to paddle on the canal. I joined the BCU to get what I needed. Hope that helps.

[@Morts81]

@@robinmager Yeah I have a paddle license for the canal. Thanks for the advice 🙂