Spooky paddles

Haunted places to paddle and more ways to enjoy Halloween from the water…

The weather is turning, and the leaves are beginning to fall from the trees… that means one thing: Halloween is just around the corner! Whilst it’s now customary to hit up your local pumpkin patch and enjoy a Halloween film night. For water lovers, we thought it would be fun to bring together some paddling-related activities to add to your autumn bucket list this Halloween. Check out some spooky versions of popular paddling trails. Don the witches’ hats and broomsticks for paddles.

Looking for a trail with a wicked twist? These routes tell of the spooky goings on around the water. Ideal for social paddles and club get-togethers. With tales of haunted houses, mythical creatures and unruly pirates, they’ll certainly help you paddle faster!

A few of our favourite spooky spots…

Smugglers Paradise on Beaulieu River:
Bucklers Hard to Beaulieu
Take a paddle through smuggler paradise as you head towards Beaulieu on this 6-mile tidal route along the south coast. 

This route should take you around three hours to complete. Starting and finishing at the same spot at Buckler’s Hard in the New Forest. Set off left and make your way up the river towards Beaulieu. Be sure to take care around the harbour and stay out of the main channel to avoid pirates. 

The river may seem peaceful now, but this was once a lucrative smuggling route. You’ll spot the grounds of Beaulieu Palace House on your right, and the ghosts that live there.

Please note that something evil lurks in the river above the road; you are not allowed to paddle here. This is when you’ll turn around and start your journey back along the river. 

Don’t forget to check tide times before you set out on your spooky adventure.

Discover more about this route here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy6QaX5MJSQ/?

The Spooks of Regents Canal:
Little Venice to Camden Market
A London city route boasting the ghosts of London’s historic past. This Regents Canal route offers views of the misty Regents Park, takes you past the growls of werewolves that live in London Zoo and into Camden Market for a toffee apple treat.

Starting at the Towpath off Blomfield Road in Little Venice, this 4.6-mile route should take you between one and a half to three hours, depending on your paddling speed and how many stops you make along the way. Paddling until you reach Camden Market before turning around and heading back to the starting point

Beware, along this route, you’ll encounter the entrance to the darkness of Maida Hill Tunnel. You must contact the Canal and River Trust in advance if you wish to paddle through the tunnel. Failure to do so may result in creepy creatures that dwell inside the tunnel chasing you away! If you don’t have permission to paddle through, you’ll need to portage 249m over it. 

Discover more about this route here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBO2m1Ktkib/?

River Ouse in the haunted city of York
Did you know York is the most haunted city in the UK? This 4.5-mile route will take you through the heart of York as you discover its history and iconic sites.

From the city’s Roman roots to medieval castles, there is so much to see from the water. As the most haunted city in the UK, you’re sure to have many ghostly encounters.

Launch from Rowntree Park, you’ll paddle north along the River Ouse and into the city. You’ll soon pass under the ornate, Gothic-style Skeldergate Bridge, with Tower Gardens opening up on your right.
Once you pass Ouse Bridge, King’s Staith is on your right – home to York’s original ghost walks and the King’s Arms, known as the city’s most frequently flooded pub. 

Discover more about this route here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMLTMEIMlz9/?

Discover and plan your own spooky trail 
Nothing is stopping you from planning a spooky paddle on your local route, either. Why not look further into some local folklore and spooky goings on near your usual haunts and make it a paddle to remember?
Plan a fancy dress paddle 

The classic plan is a fancy dress paddle. Remember not to wear something too heavy or floaty as you don’t want to cause a hazard… but face paints, werewolf gloves, your paddle turned into a broomstick… You know the sort of thing! Psst, don’t forget the weather at this time of year. If you’re not sure what to wear and how to layer up, check our guide on the next page for tips on what to wear paddling in autumn.
Join or organise a spooky paddle clean-up

If witches and skeletons don’t scare you, then the amount of litter that ends up in the rivers, canals, and lakes where we paddle will. Instead of collecting treats this Halloween, why not collect some litter from your local waterway? Grab a trick-or-treat bag and head to the waters to see what horrors you can save from the water. Check out our guide with top tips on how to organise your spooky clean up: https://gopaddling.info/blog/tips-and-advice/general-paddling/how-to-organise-a-river-clean-up-with-your-friends/.

Whatever you plan on doing this Halloween, make it one to remember. If you take any spooky paddling pics, we’d love to see them! Tag us using @paddluk on Instagram and Facebook.