The Canal & River Trust has published a new interactive audio walk and a set of four designated canoe trails in Lancaster, Lancashire, intended to help residents and visitors navigate the historic Lancaster Canal while learning about its long history.
The two-mile walking trail focuses on the Lune Aqueduct, a Grade I–listed stone aqueduct that carries the canal approximately 61 feet (18.6 m) above the River Lune. Walkers can listen to the audio recordings via the Canal & River Trust website or follow the audio trail information at the Lune Aqueduct start point (Caton Road pay & display car park, LA1 3PE).
For those who prefer being on the water, four canoe/paddling routes have been published with clear launch and landing points. One of these routes connects the Lune Aqueduct to Galgate; the Lancaster Canal is a contour canal and this stretch is lock-free, which makes it particularly suitable for beginners and families.
These leisure resources follow completion of towpath upgrades in January 2025 that improved surfaces along a multi‑mile section of the Lancaster Canal towpath to make walking and cycling easier. The work forms part of a wider effort to improve access and encourage leisure use of the historic waterway.
Maps and audio guides are available free to download from the Canal & River Trust. The Trust reminds users that all portable, unpowered craft (canoes, kayaks, SUPs, etc.) require a Canal & River Trust waterways licence; personal licence cover and insurance are typically included with membership of British Canoeing (Paddle UK). The trails are being promoted for the 2026 spring season to encourage more people to enjoy the canal and its surroundings.
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