The River Tees offers a
variety of paddling from beginners sites to grade IV rapids and falls.
There are two BCU voluntary Access Advisor From High Force to
Cotherstone read the information below, from Cotherstone to Whorlton
call Don Raspin on 01287 650668. If you are looking for accommodation,
the Kingsway Adventure Centre can provide full board, self catering or
camping.
The access from High Force to Middleton in Teesdale is controlled by
Raby and Strathmore Estates. Any competent canoeist can paddle at any
time of year by purchasing a permit. This costs £3.00 per
boat per day and allows access to the river. During the Summer months
there is an additional charge for parking at High Force.
The good point about the permit scheme is that it allows paddling all
year round and avoids any arguement with other river users. The scheme
was introduced before the current access officer took on the job, so if
you object on principle, don't complain to me.
Generally you can get a reasonable paddle from High to Low Force at any
time, except very low water levels. It is not worth paddling from Low
Force to Middleton unless there is a good level of water from recent
rain, snow melt, etc.
Below Middleton access is be informal agreement only. Generally
speaking canoeists may use the river from the last weekend in October
to the last weekend in March. The only access and egress points are
Middleton (road bridge) and Cotherstone (confluence with the Balder).
There is NO ACCESS at Egglestone, the guide books are out of date on
this point.
Please do not endanger the access that we have by doing stupid things
like ignoring the access agreement, paddling down in large, noisy
groups or blocking people's driveways when parking.
The Kingsway Adventure Centre and its employees provide this
information on the understanding that it is up to you to decide whether
to paddle a section of river and will bear no responsibility for any
loss, injury or damage. The difficulty of certain rapids on the Tees
can change substantially depending on water level. Don't come running
to us if you break your leg.
High Force to Middleton
Access
From below High Force to Middleton in Teesdale, paddling is allowed all
year around. A permit must be purchased from Raby Estates
(£3.00 per person per day). This can be obtained from Raines
in the village, the Estate's office or the High Force Hotel.
High Force to Low Force
High Force to Low Force is the hardest section on the river (Except
Cauldron Snout). Access just below High Force, at Holwick Head bridge.
You can park in High Force car park. From here, there is some rocky II,
a good reason not to do the trip in very low water. Following this is a
small (1m) fall. This leads into a series of rock steps. The major
rapid of the river, Salmon Leap Falls (IV) then follows. Inspection is
recomended, shoot river left in all but spate conditions. Following
this are some suprisingly awkward small falls, before arriving at the
main two falls of Low Force. The smaller first fall, tends to have a
nasty stopper. Low Force itself is a good 3m fall. Egress at Wynch
Bridge just downstream of Low Force, after another fall.
High Force to Low Force is paddleable at all
water levels, probably best at medium to high levels.
Low Force to Middleton in Teesdale
From Wynch bridge to Middleton in Teesdale is mainly II. It is a good
trip when water levels are high and you are carried over the rocky
bits. 200m downstream of Wynch bridge is a good III rapid. From here,
the river is II to the road bridge in Middleton. There is a weir about
half way. The trip makes a good continuation from Low Force in high
water levels.
Access is at Wynch bridge, park by the road
or in the Bowlees car park Egress is just before the road bridge in
Middleton. You can park in the Kingsway Centre car park which is a
short walk up the track by the beck which joins the river here.
Middleton to Cotherstone
Access is free but only available last w/end of October to last w/end
of March. Put in at the road bridge in Middleton and get out at
Cotherstone. DO NOT use Egglestone bridge for access or egress.
You can park in the Kingsway Centre car park in Middleton and at the
car park by the river in Cotherstone.
Middleton to Egglestone is II and only good
in higher water levels. Egglestone to Cotherstone has Woden Croft III
and is a good paddle in higher water levels.
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