Route 1 - Yalding Up & Down (7-13km)

Paddling Up River

Get in at the canoe launch and head off left towards the lifting bridge. Mind your head as you go under the bridge and stick to the right hand side as you go round the bend by the Boathouse pub. Look out for motor boats coming the other way as you round the bend. Stay away from the orange boomed off areas on the left.

You have now left the canal navigation and are on the main river Medway paddling up river. Stay towards the right hand side as you pass the Marina and boat moorings on the left. During the fishing season (16th June to 14^th March) it is likely you’ll encounter anglers on the left hand bank as you paddle up river. Generally they will appreciate you passing along the opposite bank to where they are fishing.

After 1.5km you will come to Stoneham Lock (aka disused lock). You can  paddle up the navigation channel but look out for boats coming down. Alternatively just paddle around the other side of the lock.

Continuing up river you will paddle under a large road bridge with graffiti and shortly after this the river narrows leading to the next road bridge. Before the bridge on the left you can exit (be careful) to the foot path and walk 100 meters along the road to the left to the Coop store in the petrol station. Shortly after the bridge on the river left you will see wooden landing stage and ramp to the water which is the landing point for the Cafeteria at Branbridges Leisure/Paddle Cabin. This and the Coop are the only 2 options for purchasing food or drink if you have not brought this with you.

After approximately 1km you will arrive at Sluice Weir and the first lock on this route. For paddlers continuing up river you need to paddle to the landing stage which will be on the right as you approach the lock. Here you need to get out and carry boats up the steps and along the path past the lock where there is another launching platform to get back in.

Sluice Weir is also the site of the original River Medway canoe pass. This is located on the far left as you approached from down river. There is a footbridge across this side of the river. This canoe pass is steeper and faster than all the other passes and if you are thinking of running this on the way back down we suggest you have a look at it on the way up as you carry your boats up.

Please note that if you paddle under the footbridge and into the area where the canoe pass exit is situated you should keep away from the bottom of the sloping weir and also be aware that the Sluice can open in a short space of time at which point there will be strong currents in the area. We therefore recommend you do not enter this area until you are coming back down river.

Some people will stop at this point and run the canoe pass (some several times!) before returning to Yalding. This is the shortest return trip but we’ll assume for now you are carrying on up river!

Continuing up river for another 2km you arrive at Oak Weir. As you approach this area you will see the low level canoe landing stage. Get out here and carry boats up if you intend continuing up river or if you want to run the Oak Weir canoe pass. There is a large picnic bench here and plenty of room to stop for lunch or a snack.

For a lot of people this is as far as they will go for a return journey but it is possible to continue up river another 1.2km to East Lock. To access the Oak Weir canoe pass or continue up river carry boats over the small footbridge (over the canoe pass) and re-enter at the canoe platform.

To continue up to East Lock paddle up river past the meadow on your left and under the farm bridge. The meadow is also a popular spot to stop for lunch. After the meadow the river will split and you take the left hand channel (the navigation route) and follow this until you come to the canoe landing stages on the right. This also makes a nice spot to stop for lunch. There is also a canoe pass here so have a look at this and carry boats up if you decide you are going to run this canoe pass.

The majority of people will not go beyond this point, however you can continue as far as Tonbridge if you think you have the time (and the energy)! Continuing upriver you have to portage around Porters and Eldridges Locks and finally Town Lock before getting to Tonbridge. All of these locks have canoe passes that you can use on the way back.

Paddling back down

 

We recommend you wear helmets at all canoe passes.

If you do not want to go down any of the canoe passes you can carry your boats around any canoe passes using the same route you used coming up river. Always check a pass is clear at the bottom before proceeding. This route guide includes all passes from Tonbridge down but the majority of customers paddling up from Yalding will typically get as far as Oak Lock or East Lock and do those canoe passes on their way back.

Tonbridge Town Lock canoe pass is on the left as you approach the lock on you way back. The orange booms will guide you to the canoe pass as you approach but it is often closed in summer so worth checking the chute is open on your way up. There will be a metal barrier across the top if it is closed. This is a fairly easy pass to break you in gently!

The next canoe pass is at Eldridges lock. The entrance is on the right as you approach the lock area. This is the easiest and longest pass on the river, however if there has been significant rainfall or the river is on orange warnings, the area where the pass exits alongside the sluice exit can be hazardous and should be inspected before you go down the pass.

The next canoe pass is Porters lock. As you approach the area the sluice gate will be on the right. Head round to the left towards the lock and look for the entrance to the canoe pass on the right. The exit for the pass has a tendency to tilt the boat so be prepared! After exiting the pass keep paddling and after about 300 metres turn right when you reach what looks like a junction in the river. The navigation sign points left so ignore that otherwise it will send you back up towards the lock that you have just bypassed.

Next up is East Lock. As you approach the area keep away from the sluice gate on the left and paddle round to the canoe platform. The entrance to the pass is on the left just after the platform. This one is short and fast and the flow at the bottom of the slope will shoot you forward and away from the chute so good fun! Once you exit the pass paddle to your right to continue back down river.

Paddle down river until you see Oak Weir. Keep to the right hand side as you approach and do not paddle near the orange booms on the left. The canoe pass is alongside the landing stage. This pass uses brushes and is slower than the previous pass but still good fun. Once you exit the pass paddle to your right to continue down river.

Paddle down river until you arrive back at Sluice Weir. If you intend carrying boats round you will paddle back to the landing stage on your left. Otherwise stay on the right and the canoe pass entrance is on the far right.

Sluice Weir canoe pass is different to all the previous passes so treat it with respect. We strongly advise you to wear helmets on this canoe pass. Also before going down the pass check that the sluice is not open. If it is there will be strong currents in the area below so we would advise you either wait for it to close or use the portage route instead.

This canoe pass is steeper and faster than any of the others, think “log flume fair ground”! You will get wet/soaked at the bottom depending on what type of boat you are paddling. In the event of a capsize (yes it can and does happen) swim to the bank on the right where you can get out (be careful of the rocks), empty boat/s and sort yourselves out

After the fun and excitement enjoy a gentle paddle back down to Yalding!