Canoe and Wild Camping Trips

Canoe and Wild Camp Trips

Follow the ‘Path of the Paddle’, whether for one day, a weekend, or on a longer journey.

Canadian canoes were long used to share the experience of travel; in their traditional use this was for – trade, hunting, visiting or for war. In the 21stC we use the canoe to return to a simpler way, a way of relaxation, sharing and understanding; people, nature, the camp, stories around the fire, the wind on your face.

A One Day Experience  will show you the ‘Path’ and hopefully you will hear its song! Share the journey to a ‘lunch’ camp with a simple fire to make a hot drink and listen to tales of ‘rugged’ journeymen.

A Two Day Experience you will feel that return to a simpler way. Journey to a ‘wild-camp’, prepare and cook dinner over the fire and if the weather is favourable – fall asleep under the stars.

On a longer Expedition  you will reach the end wanting to journey onwards… simple living, exploring nature, following the flow from day to night along the lake or rivers course.

All canoe trips provide technical and safety equipment (Canoe, Paddles, Buoyancy Aid, and Waterproof Jacket as a minimum), on overnight trips we provide shared ‘tipi’ tents and all camping equipment (Except: Sleeping Bags). Food and drinks during the trips are provided.

Example Itineraries

One Day – Lake District

Explore the nooks and crannies of Ullswater or Coniston Water, learn the basics of paddling your own canoe, enjoy a hot drink and provided lunch whilst taking in the majestic views.

2 Day – Lake District

Based on Ullswater, we depart Glenridding and follow the east shore via Norfolk Island to a ‘wild-camp’. Here we’ll put up the tipi, collect wood for the fire and prepare food to cook over the fire also. Settling in for the night we can share stories, go for a night paddle if the weather is good, before settling in to the sound of owls and the water lapping on the shore. Our second day takes us south via Aira Point where we can take the short walk up to the waterfalls, have tea and cake before returning to our start point.

Based on Coniston Water we explore the haunts of Arthur Ransome’s ‘Swallows & Amazons’ before heading to make our improvised camp in the woods using ‘hammocks & tarps’. Prepare the evening meal over the fire, before heading to sleep with the breeze gently rocking the hammock. Next day sees an early start to get the fire going for breakfast, before breaking camp and heading up to the ‘Bluebird’ for a coffee and our finish at the north end of the lake.

3 Day – River Tweed

This three day trip is an ideal introduction to moving water. Starting near Peebles we’ll go with the flow of the river potentially getting as far as Kelso if water levels allow. On the way learn to paddle your canoe as a tandem team on the mostly flat but moving water with the occasional rapid to increase the adrenaline… camping each night in the tipis on the side of the river we will prepare our food over the fire, before recounting the daring deeds of the day. Wilderness Canoe 04 January 2012

3 Day – River Balvaig

A classic trip taking in three lochs joined by very easy river paddling. Enclosed in two valleys by soaring mountains this is a great trip as a first or second journey. The rivers are not difficult and the loch paddling is relatively easy with many options to stop for a brew or to stretch the legs. Campsites are many and each night’s choice can be tailored to where we end the day.

5 Day – Loch Shiel

This is the ‘Classic’ of the highlands. Starting at Glenfinnan on the ‘Road to the Isles’ and more recently as the backdrop to the Harry Potter films as the location of Hogwarts… a great glacial trench flooded to form Loch Sheil, the paddling is not difficult, but winds can build up to provide more demanding conditions. Past the narrows we come across Finians Isle with its macabre gravestones on the site of its ancient chapel, and as we reach the outflow you will feel you have already accomplished a great deal. Following the river with one small rapid we exit into the sea at Loch Moidart and the ruins of Castle Tiarum. From here we are dependent on the tides and weather; the aim will be to follow the North Channel around into Loch Ailort and its end.

2015 Dates to be arranged,   Dates can be tailored for groups of 4 or more, please contact the office.