a boat trip on the canal

Boating on the Erie Canal

Whether you’re in a kayak, 50’ cruiser or anything in-between you will find a unique boating experience on the Erie Canal. With 55 locks, 16 lift bridges, more than 60 communities all on the 524 miles of navigable waterway that make up the Erie Canal System. A boat trip on the Erie is something you won’t soon forget. Whether you plan your trip to last a day, week or month the Erie will not disappoint.

The NYS Canal system is best understood when you break it down by regions. The Erie at 363 miles long stretches from Waterford, just north of Albany to The Tonawanda’s, just east of Buffalo. The modern version of the Erie which celebrated its centennial in 1915 combines the natural river sections of the Mohawk and Seneca Rivers, crosses Oneida Lake, the largest lake completely within NYS as well as the man-made sections that complete the system. The scenery that you encounter along the way is as diverse as the waterway itself. From dairy farms and apple orchids to long stretches of natural scenery that you make you forget you’re in NY. You will also pass through bedroom communities of cities like Syracuse and Rochester. One of the more interesting sections is a 4-mile-long stretch west of Rochester where the Canal is cut through rock, with rock walls on both sides of the canal take a minute to consider how this section was built virtually by hand in the early 1800’s! When you arrive in Tonawanda, the current western terminus of the Canal, you could rent a car and visit Niagara Falls, or continue on the Niagara River 13 miles to the inner harbor of Buffalo where you have the opportunity to dock directly behind a Naval Destroyer at the only inland Naval Museum in the country.

From the Erie, you also have the opportunity to head north to Lake Ontario via the Oswego Canal, At Three Rivers, mile marker 160 the Oswego Canal heads north for 23 miles. Don’t miss a stay over in the village of Phoenix where undoubtable you will get a visit from the Bridge House Brats, a local youth group who spends their summers helping boaters with everything from catching your lines to running for provisions. Oswego at the mouth of Lake Ontario hosts one of the largest celebrations of the summer with its annual Harbor Fest.

Travel a little further west and at mile marker 200 on the Erie you can head south on the Cayuga / Seneca Canal. When you exit Lock 1, 4 miles south of the junction with the Erie, Cayuga Lake lies ahead, 36 miles to the south is the City of Ithaca, or head west to the historic town of Seneca Falls, birthplace of the women’s suffrage movement. Seneca Falls is one of the best stops along the Canal for boaters, with over 900’ of dockage on both the north and south sides of the Canal, boaters can enjoy free docking, electric, water, wi-fi and a boaters amenity center that offers laundry, showers, a lounge. An easy walk offers boaters access to restaurants, shops, and museums. Rent a car and tour the many wineries that surround the Finger lakes. The Cayuga / Seneca Canal continues west past the village of Waterloo, the birthplace of the memorial day celebration and eventually empties into the north end of Seneca Lake at the city of Geneva. Head south 34 miles for a visit to Watkins Glen, Seneca Falls.

The Champlain Canal which travels north from the Village of Waterford and the Hudson River follows some of the same waterways that were critical in the Revolutionary war, with historical sites located throughout the 60-mile length. The Champlain offers the scenery of the Adirondack mountains to the west and the Green Mountains of Vermont to the East. Continue to Lake Champlain and north to Canada and beyond.

No matter how you choose to boat on the Erie Canal system, you won’t be disappointed. More than 60 communities offer docking opportunities to transient boaters, most offering amenities such as electric, internet access, showers and restrooms and access to these communities. Most them are FREE.

There are three ways to boat the canal, you can use your own boat and of course depending on where your home port is will determine where you enter the canal system from. If you trailer your boat, you have a lot more options. With over 150 boat ramps and more than 100 marinas and public docks on the Canal System there are lots of options for your trip. If your boat has sleeping accommodations, your options have greatly increased, if not, or if you’re paddling the canal, you can stay at any of the B&B’s or hotels or campgrounds along the Canal. If roughing it is your desire you can dry camp for free at every one of the 57 locks along the Canal system.

The third way to enjoy the Canal System by water is to charter a boat. There are several companies along the Canal System that will rent you a boat for as little as 3 days. These options vary from a 22’ cruiser perfect for a couple to several companies which rent European Style Canal boats in sizes from 32-42 such as the one below from Mid lakes Navigation’ or how about doing a family reunion on a 60’ house boat which accommodates 14. No matter which option works for you, a trip on the Canal is a must for any NY Boater. In 2015 Lyons NY, at mile marker 220 of the Erie hosted 331 boats from 216 communities in 40 states and from Canada, Holland, Australia, England, Germany, Sweden, New Zealand, Ireland, Mexico, and South America. Start experiencing what boaters from around the country and world are finding out. In 2017 the Canal System begins the celebration of the bicentennial of the beginning of the construction of the Canal. Also in 2017 The World Canals Conference is coming to Syracuse from Sept. 25th to the 29th.

The NYS Canal system is the oldest continually operating transportation system in North America, and every year the navigation system begins in Early May and closes during the middle of November. A common message you will hear from boaters enjoying the Canal, is quiet!, don’t spread the word. those who already are in the know really want to keep it a closely guarded secret.

A boat trip on the Erie Canal, may be the best deal in cruising around! Continue to watch the New York Boater for more information as the NYS Canal system begins their bicentennial celebration starting in 2017.

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I Explored Upstate New York on a Canal Boat — and It Was the Perfect Way to Slow Down

On a narrow-boat journey down New York’s Erie Canal, one writer finds a waterway steeped in history — one that offers a welcome escape from modern-day worries.

Paul Brady is the news director at Travel + Leisure and the brand's expert on cruise travel. He has been covering the travel industry for more than 15 years for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler , Skift , and The Huffington Post .

"The Erie Canal used to be all about speed, but today it's about slowing down," said Marye Lobb, a singer-songwriter I met one evening in Spencerport, New York. Lobb had been playing in the village's canal-side gazebo while my wife, Jetty-Jane, and I watched from the top deck of our boat, a bottle of Finger Lakes Riesling between us.

"There's just something calming about being by the water," Lobb said. In the 19th century, she explained, this storied waterway was an artery of commerce, but these days it's a place for wildlife spotting and unplugging from whatever worries you left onshore — just what Jetty-Jane and I were looking for in the summer of 2020.

Our vessel was the Seneca, a 42-foot liveaboard that we chartered — with the help of quirky travel website Atlas Obscura — from Erie Canal Adventures, a family-run outfitter with a fleet of canal boats purpose-built for touring the waterways between Syracuse and Buffalo. The plan was to take one of those vessels and spend a few days exploring the canal. Niche? Absolutely. The perfect escape from the strangest year of our lives? Definitely.

Soon enough, we were in a marina-side classroom in Macedon, getting a tutorial on propane heaters, diesel engines, and marine toilets — all the parts that make a liveaboard tick. After a few educational videos, we were aboard the Seneca with Erie Canal Adventures owner Brian Keenan, who had come to give us some hands-on training. He watched as we took our boat — sporting the company's signature red and green color scheme — through the gates of Lock 30, practiced our knots, fiddled with our radio, and spun around with a whoosh of our bow thrusters.

An hour later, Keenan stepped back onto the dock and wished us a good trip. With just my wife and me on board — and the $100,000 insurance policy stashed belowdecks — I had a moment of panic. We'd been socially distancing for months, but suddenly felt very alone.

Before Zoom calls, before jets, even before Model Ts and railroads, travel was all about boats. They were the fastest, easiest, and most comfortable way to get anywhere, which is why the founding fathers spent considerable time — not to mention money — trying to gin up canal systems in America to rival those transforming Europe. As Peter L. Bernstein writes in Wedding of the Waters, a history of the Erie Canal, the waterway would "knit the sinews of the Industrial Revolution, propel globalization…and revolutionize the production and supply of food for the entire world."

Today, the canal is almost exclusively used for recreation, but it's no exaggeration to say that the 363-mile-long link between the Atlantic and the Great Lakes cemented the country's economic primacy and crowned New York City its financial capital. (That many of these gains were extracted, directly or indirectly, from land stolen or swindled from Indigenous peoples, particularly those of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, often goes unmentioned.)

Yet for all its economic benefit, the canal provided something far more valuable: it gave rise to a network for ideas. Among the freethinkers living and working along the canal was Joseph Smith, who published the Book of Mormon in 1830 in Palmyra. In 1848, Frederick Douglass moved to Rochester, where he founded his abolitionist newspaper. That same year, Elizabeth Cady Stanton helped organize the Women's Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, now home to the Women's Rights National Historical Park.

All of which is to say that a trip on the canal takes you through not only western New York but also hundreds of years of American history. Not that you're thinking about any of that when you're waking up in Pittsford in the middle of a chilly thunderstorm. Canal trivia takes a back seat when everything's wet, a cold wind is blowing, and the only person around to untie the lines is you. Whose idea was this anyway?

We chugged west toward Rochester, where we tied up at Corn Hill Landing, in the heart of the city. Despite the heavy rain, we made the short walk to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, which lives up to the hype with pit-smoked wings and decadent mac and cheese. We walked through Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park, painted with messages of protest against police violence in Rochester and across the United States. By late afternoon, the sun had returned, and we celebrated with pilsners and onion rings at Roc Brewing Co. before heading back to the boat and pressing on toward Spencerport to catch Lobb's gazebo concert, one of several such experiences Atlas Obscura had arranged along our route.

After a couple of days aboard, we were getting the hang of the Seneca . The hardest part was passing through the locks, which involved gingerly maneuvering our 30,000-pound boat into a narrow space and grabbing onto fixed cables or ropes covered in gunk. We started to feel a tiny bit like boat people. Could we live on the Seneca ? I wondered aloud one morning. Not likely, my wife deadpanned.

On our third morning, we turned back east to Fairport, a quintessential canal town we'd skipped on our way out. We grabbed a sunny spot on the patio of Lulu Taqueria & Bar for a Pacifico and a margarita as kayakers paddled past. We rummaged through gift shops like Main Street Mercantile and marveled at the imported pastas, olives, meats, and cheeses at Lombardi's Gourmet Imports & Specialties. After months of not doing much at all, we relished the simple pleasure of walking down some new streets and seeing some new things.

That evening, we approached another red-and-green boat docked at a bend in the channel called Bushnell's Basin. We were tying our lines when a stranger bounded over and, through her mask, started telling us about the great hard cider selection in the dockside store.

Diane Baker and her husband, Mark, had, like us, been on the canal for a few days, she said. They, too, figured the trip would be the perfect antidote to months cooped up at home in New York City. For them, it was less about boating than about exploring a stretch of the state they'd never considered vacation-worthy.

A few days later, back on land, we bumped into Diane and Mark at the Cascadilla Gorge trailhead in Ithaca. Though we'd met only briefly, it felt like a reunion with old friends. Amazing what can happen when you take a moment and just slow down.

How to Plan a Canal Trip

Erie Canal Adventures (trips from $1,950) offers three-, four-, and seven-day charters out of Macedon. Boats come fully fueled and equipped with linens, kitchen gear, and water. There's a learning curve for piloting the vessels, but even landlubbers can quickly get the hang of it.

Book through Atlas Obscura for more perks, plus a concierge who can make restaurant reservations and provide hyper-specific sightseeing tips. Charters start around noon and end early on the final day, so it's best to bookend a cruise with hotel stays.

About 30 minutes from Macedon, the new Lake House on Canandaigua (doubles from $265) is a resort-style property with soothing, nautically inspired interiors by Studio Tack. An hour away, the Inns of Aurora (doubles from $440) is a collection of historic buildings, all beautifully restored and filled with quirky yet tasteful décor. A new 15,000-square-foot spa opened in June.

A version of this story first appeared in the June 2021 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline At Your Own Pace . Atlas Obscura and Erie Canal Adventures provided support for the reporting of this story.

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ERIE CANAL SIGHTSEEING CRUISES

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ERIE CANAL SIGHTSEEING CRUISE

Our sight seeing cruises depart daily! Enjoy the scenery of the Mohawk Valley as you cruise the calm waters of the Erie Canal, learning about the history of the area and locks.

Award-winning narration along with spectacular scenery and a ride in a Lock, also known as a “liquid elevator” await you on our daily Erie Canal sightseeing cruises. We cruise through Lock 18 on the Erie Canal, lifting and lowering vessels over 20 feet! Browse our cruise schedule and reserve your tickets online.

Our 2024 Season is Open Now – Book Your Cruise Today

SAM PATCH CRUISES IN PITTSFORD, NY

Explore our sam patch erie canal tours.

Traverse the legendary Erie Canal — considered by many to be the eighth wonder of the world — on a replica historic packet boat.

Cruises offer a rare perspective on the region’s cultural heritage, offering live narration and a trip through a century-old lock.

Each year, more than 11,000 people — representing all 50 states and more than 30 countries — cruise on the Erie Canal on the Sam Patch, named after a 19th-century mill working who became the first famous American daredevil by jumping off waterfalls, including Rochester’s High Falls.

Drinks, snacks, and bathroom are on board. Cruises depart daily from Schoen Place in Pittsford.

Wondering what the weather will be like on your tour? Check out the upcoming Pittsford forecast below:

Lunch Cruises:

Lunch options are available as an additional cost per ticket.

Please choose your ticket first and then select your lunch option. If you do not want lunch included with your ticket, that’s alright, it is optional! Feel free to come on board and enjoy the cruise with your ticket purchase with or without a lunch purchase.

All lunch orders must be made with your ticket purchase 24 hours prior to your cruise departure.

Please click the link to see our boxed lunch menu options:

CHN BOXED LUNCHES 2024 Season (1)

Know when you'll be visiting Pittsford? Search our Sam Patch calendar:

See all of our sam patch tours below:.

• Users Up to 30 People
• Hour Glass 2 Hours
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Sam Patch - Live Music Sunset Cruise

Join us aboard the Sam Patch as we cruise along the canal taking in the sunset while listening to some live music, enjoying a refreshing drink. Come get your feet tapping with us.

• Hour Glass 1.5 Hours

Sam Patch Arts & Culture Series

Join us for our new Arts & Culture Series! Throughout the operating season, we will have special guests come on board to give in depth presentations and teach art classes.

• Hour Glass 1.25-2 hours

Sam Patch – Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise

Join us on Sam Patch to experience the historic Eric Canal & lock system

• Users Up to 35 People

July 4th Downtown Fireworks Cruise

Celebrate the 4th of July by watching the fireworks from the best seats in the house!

Erie Canal Daily Cruises

The Colonial Belle offers the best day trip value for your New York travel budget. Many of our departing passengers tell us "The Colonial Belle is one of the most enjoyable outings in New York State." We are located on the northern edge of the Finger Lakes region, famous for its wine tours as well as its scenic beauty. The Rochester area is a favorite New York tourism destination and provides many leisure activities and events.

Office Hours

May - October 10:00am–2:00pm daily (excluding holidays) November - April Phone calls are answered as frequently as possible. Please leave us a voicemail message if we cannot answer. We have limited staff during our non-operating season. Our business email is checked multiple times a day year round as well.

Gift Certificates

To purchase a Gift Certificate please call us at (585) 223-9470 or buy online with paypal here.

NOTE: Purchasing a Gift Certificate is NOT a reservation. Your gift certificate will be mailed via US mail. Please have the recipient of the Gift Certificate contact us at  (585) 223-9470  to make a reservation for one of our cruises. We look forward to serving you!

CANCELLATIONS Terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. A cruise may be cancelled due to inclement weather, mechanical problems or insufficient number of passengers. Notification will be made when possible.  See our Policies page »

Boarding is 15 min. before departure

• Schedule Subject to Change (Call for Reservations) • Reservations Suggested • Gift Certificates Available • Handicapped Accessible (1st Deck) • Free Parking • Discounts are available to Seniors ages 60+, children, veterans/active military & groups of 25+ on public tours.

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Our Vessels

Experience “Life in the Past Lane" when you get on board for your cruise on the historic Erie Canal, a 363-mile waterway between the Hudson River with Niagara River and the Great Lakes and an important part of American history.

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Your fun and informative cruise will take you past five of the original 1800's locks. Three million gallons of water will fill Locks 34 & 35, the only double set on the Erie Canal, and raise the boat 50 feet. You’ll pass under Lockport's "Upside Down Bridge," Lockport's "Big Bridge" (the widest bridge in the U.S. at 399 feet wide), through the "deep rock cut" and under lift bridges. The lively narration by the Coast Guard Licensed Captains is also accompanied by crowd-pleasing canal music, popular during the 1800's.

Passing through the locks...

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For more about our cruises, call us at 716-433-6155, or toll-free at 1-800-378-0352.

Cruise Schedules and Pricing

Regularly scheduled public cruises, spring: tuesday, may 19, 2024, through thursday, june 19, 2024 every day all week 12:30 pm and 3 pm additional cruise saturdays at 10 am, summer: friday, june 20, 2024, through sunday, september 22, 2024 every day all week 10:00 am, 12:30pm, and 3:00pm, fall: monday, september 23, 2024, through monday, october 14, 2024 every day all week 12:30 pm and 3 pm. additional cruise saturdays at 10 am, private & group cruises : can be scheduled every day, anytime from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. tuesday, may 19, 2024, through monday, october 14, 2024.

$ 24.50 Adults

$ 12.00 Children (4-10), Children Under 4 - FREE

$ 23.00 for AAA & CAA Members Courtesy Rate

Special Discounts Available for Groups, School Programs, Scout and Youth Programs. Please contact us for details.

You and your guests can cruise one of the regularly scheduled cruise times available daily from early May to mid-October. Cruises are approximately 2 hours long.

There are no reserved seats on either boat. You can use this reservation form to tell us when you're coming. Please include your email address and we'll send a confirmation. (Note: This is not an automated system. It may take a day or so to confirm your spaces.)

Please contact us in advance if you have any concerns regarding boat accessibility.

You can also arrange special private charter times for your groups of 30 or more. Charter cruises can travel east for a relaxing canal cruise or choose our regular cruise route which includes 'locking through.'

Reservations are suggested to insure a spot on your desired cruise.

Lockview IV

Lockview IV, a 48-passenger motor vessel built to resemble the African Queen, provided tours in Hilton Head and Mystic Seaport (also appeared in the movie “Mystic Pizza”) before her service in Lockport. 47 Foot single deck US Coast Guard licensed vessel with a beautiful teak interior equipped with 2 restrooms and a licensed snack area. Two small steps provide easy access.

Lockview V, a 125-passenger double-deck motor vessel built for the Great Lakes, previously provided tours in Florida and Booth Bay Harbor, Maine. 65 Foot US Coast Guard licensed vessel equipped with 2 restrooms and a licensed snack area.

Lockview VI

Lockview VI, a 75 Foot double-deck Mississippi-style stern paddle wheel motor vessel. This United States Coast Guard licensed vessel carries up to 150 passengers. Lockview VI has an upper and lower deck, 2 restrooms, and a fully licensed bar.

Back to Top Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises 210 Market Street, Lockport, NY 14094 716-433-6155 or 800-378-0352 [email protected]

© Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises. All Rights Reserved. www.annetteriley.com

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Copenhagen Canal Tour

Guided boat tour from nyhavn and ved stranden.

• See Copenhagen's iconic sights
• Classic and Grand canal tours available
• Kids sail for half price

About this tour

Explore Copenhagen from the water on a canal tour. Our Classic Canal Tour passes by iconic sights and through narrow canals, while our Grand Canal Tour takes you by popular sights and hidden gems.

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Classic canal tour - nyhavn.

Our popular canal tour with departure from Nyhavn, offering a classic one-hour experience with iconic sights. Departure point: Nyhavn (see map above) Highlights: Explore Copenhagen's iconic landmarks, such as the Little Mermaid and Amalienborg Palace. Good to know: Choose between live-guided and audio-guided tours. Open boats in warmer months and covered, heated boats in colder months.

Classic Canal Tour - Ved Stranden

Our popular canal tour with departure from Ved Stranden, offering a classic one-hour experience with iconic sights. Departure point: Ved Stranden (see map above) Highlights: Explore Copenhagen's iconic landmarks, such as the Little Mermaid and Amalienborg Palace. Good to know: Choose between live-guided and audio-guided tours. Open boats in warmer months and covered, heated boats in colder months.

Grand Canal Tour - Ved Stranden

Our Grand Canal Tour is the ultimate boat sightseeing experience, perfect for those who want to see it all. Departure point: Ved Stranden, pier 4 (see map above) Highlights: Enjoy both famous sight, hidden gems, and lesser-known areas. Good to know: Live guided in Danish and English, covered boats, you're welcome to bring snacks and drinks. 

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Experience the beauty and history of Copenhagen on our classic one-hour canal tour! Learn about the beautiful and historic landmarks and all other sights of interest. This boat sightseeing tour departs from Nyhavn or Ved Stranden and passes some of Copenhagen's best sights and attractions. Looking for more history and additional sight? Choose our Grand Canal Tour.

Join our Classic Canal Tour - All the Must-See Sights

On this one-hour boat tour, you will discover the best of Copenhagen! You’ll experience all the famous sights and iconic landmarks, including the famous Little Mermaid, the majestic Amalienborg Castle – home of the royal family, and the beautiful Opera. Take in the beauty and history of the city as we sail through the historic harbor and narrow canals. During the late spring and all of summer, we sail in open boats. In the colder months, we sail in boats that are both covered and heated.

Most of our Classic Canal Tours are live guided. However, we also offer daily departures with audio guide.

Discover More of Copenhagen with Our Grand Canal Tour

Curious to see more of Copenhagen? Our Grand Canal Tour is the ultimate boat sightseeing experience, perfect for those who want to see it all. Sit back and enjoy stunning views of Copenhagen’s most famous attractions, including Christiansborg Palace, the Opera House, and the Little Mermaid.

But that’s not all—our tour takes you to the trendy neighborhood of Nordhavn, where you can admire remarkable architecture and encounter the unique sculpture, ‘The Genetically Modified Mermaid’.

The Grand Canal Tour is live-guided in Danish and English and departs from Ved Stranden. The tour lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks.

Find Our Ticket Houses

We have ticket houses at Nyhavn and Ved Stranden, where you can also purchase your tickets. Daily changes may occur. For more information on the day, please ask in our ticket house.

Are the boats covered when it rains?

We cannot guarantee that all our boats will be covered, we do our best to adjust the type of boat according to the weather conditions. Should it rain while you are on one of our open boats, we offer all our guests a complimentary poncho to keep dry. During the colder months, we exclusively sail with boats that are both covered and heated, ensuring your comfort and warmth.

Can I bring my dog on board the boat?

Dogs are welcome on our boats, provided they are small enough to fit into a bag, friendly, and accustomed to being around other people.

Can I bring my stroller, pram, or buggy on board the boat?

Due to limited space on the boats it is not possible to bring your stroller, pram, or buggy on the boat. You are welcome to park it at our departure points at Ved Stranden and Nyhavn, however this is at your own risk and we highly recommend that you bring a lock.

Can we bring a wheelchair on board?

Unfortunately, our boats can't accommodate non-foldable wheelchairs due to the layout of the boats. Wheelchair users with foldable models who can board and sit in regular seats may be permitted, subject to the captain's discretion based on space availability. We regret any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Are there any stops on the tour?

No, there are no stops along the way, the tour starts and ends at the same location.

At what age do children have to pay adult prices?

Adult ticket prices apply from the age of 16 and above.

Where do I find information about delayed or cancelled departures?

For information on specific delays or cancellations, please visit our ticket offices at Nyhavn or Ved Stranden, or contact our Customer Service at tel: +45 3296 3000.

Lost something?

Lost items can be recovered at our ticket office at Ved Stranden, or you can fill out our Lost & Found form

How many passengers can fit in one boat?

Our fleet includes open boats, which can accommodate up to 168 passengers, and covered boats with a capacity of up to 150 passengers, 104 of whom can be seated under the roof.

Are there life vests on board?

Life vests available on all our boats and in the unlikely event of an emergency, our trained staff will provide everyone with a life vest. For more information please see safety on board.

Should I book tickets in advance for the tour?

We recommend you booking your tickets in advance to secure a spot on the tour that best fits your schedule. This is particularly important during the spring and summer months, when our departures tend to sell out quickly.

Can I use my HT ticket/card on the boats?

No, the HT tickets and cards can only be used on the yellow harbor buses.

Can I buy my ticket on the boat?

Tickets cannot be purchased directly on the boat. To join us on a canal tour, please buy your tickets online, at our ticket houses, or from one of our street sellers.

Can I pay with a credit card?

Yes, you can pay with a credit card online, in our Ticket Houses, with our street sellers and on board our buses.

Can I pay with foreign currency?

We accept the following currencies in notes only: Euros and American Dollars. Please note, change will be given be in Danish kroner.

I need a receipt - how do I get one?

To obtain a receipt, please note that we issue tickets that also serve as receipts. Your ticket will be checked upon boarding, and you're welcome to keep it afterward for your records. Be aware that the majority of our tours are VAT exempt.

Can we bring our own drinks?

Feel free to bring your own drinks on board. However, we kindly ask that you take any bottles or cans with you upon departure.

Are there a toilet on board the boat?

Our boats do not have toilet facilities. However, public toilets are available close to our ticket houses at both Nyhavn and Ved Stranden. Please feel free to ask our staff for directions.

Are there a discount for schools and kindergartens?

We offer a special discount for Danish schools, kindergartens, and youth clubs on our canal tours. Additionally, international school with groups of 10 or more persons qualify for a 10% group discount.

Do you offer tours to Middelgrundsfortet or Flakfortet?

Our authorization restricts our operations to the boundaries of Copenhagen harbor. Consequently, we are unable to offer tours to Middelgrundsfortet and Flakfortet.

Discover the best things to see and do in Copenhagen

There are plenty of things to do in the city, and here you can find inspiration on what to do while you're here.

Explore Copenhagen's popular attractions

Read more about the most iconic tourist attractions and must-visit landmarks in Copenhagen.

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Lehigh Drive closed from 25th Street

Lehigh Drive is closed from 25th street so everyone must approach from Glendon Hill Road or Lehigh Drive from downtown.

Ride the Canal Boat

Travel Back In Time

The 48-ton Josiah White II canal boat plies the waters of old Section 8 of the Lehigh Canal in Hugh Moore Park. Our trained and authentically-dressed crew interprets  the story of the anthracite canals  and the people who worked and lived on them. Our two mules –  Hank and George  – tow the boat on a leisurely trip from the National Canal Museum to the Locktender’s House and back.

Canal boat tours are 45 minutes long and leave the dock at 12, 1:30, and 3PM.  Tours run rain or shine, except during thunderstorms, high winds, hazardous air quality conditions or extreme heat.  The canal boat is wheelchair accessible.  RESERVATIONS ARE NOT  REQUIRED.

Canal Boat Rides will be offered in 2024 from June 5 through November 3.

Museum + Boat Admission

• Adults: $15.00
• Seniors: $14.00
• Children (3-15): $11.00
• Children under 3: Free
• Family Pack (2 Adults & up to 3 Children): $49.00
• Members: Free

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How to Plan Canal Boat Trips (What You Need to Know)

Canal boating is the most fun you can have at the slowest speed possible. No other form of boating  moves this slowly. You could walk quicker!

But that's the point. The passage is slow, sedate and beguiling. It hypnotizes as you slip quietly between green and pleasant lands. But relaxing canal boat trips need a carefully crafted plan.

Forward Planning: The Key Things to Do Ahead of Time

Here's what you need for the perfect canal boat trip:

Decide on the Canal You Want to Travel

Whether it's the country where you live or a country you're visiting, there are fabulous canals across the world.

• New York has 524 miles of waterways between Albany and Buffalo (go on, admit that you're surprised to hear that).
• Amsterdam is famous for its canals.
• Germany has unspoiled waterways running through Brandenberg.
• The UK has 2000 miles to explore.
• France has some of the most beautiful waterways waiting to be discovered.

Because I'm UK based, I thought I'd focus on the network here.

Use a Guide Book

• Pearson's Guides (Check Price on Amazon)
• Nicholson Guides (Check Price on Amazon)

Both guides offer coverage of the UK network and provide similar information, including water points, locks, swing bridges and disposal points.

The Pearson's Guide is a more straightforward book to read. It offers an "At a glance" style with clear maps and brief information about points of interest.

The Nicholson Guides, while less easy to read, offer the same, but contain a higher level of knowledge for the boater.

The Pearson's Guides are better for the novice canal boater.

Using the Internet

The internet offers the most in-depth and updated information. You can find  boating apps  for almost anything, and canal boat travel is no exception. It's instant!

Some websites and apps act like sat-navs, plotting your progress along canal maps. All modern 21st-century for a mode of transport steeped in tradition and history.

I don't doubt, as the younger generation discovers canal boating, the internet will become the norm (ah, the marching boots of progress).

Using the internet, however, somehow lacks a guidebook's charm . I can hear you all scream at your computers that I'm living in the past, but a canal boat trip is meant to connect with the history and atmosphere of the ancient canal network.

Try and remember that you're traveling along canals that were dug by hand in some cases, two or three hundred years ago.

Staring at a phone screen, as in other walks of life, diverts our attention away from the beauty around us. Plus, it relies on good cell service at all times (often unreliable in remote countrysides).

Because canal boating is a traditional form of transport, I prefer physical guidebooks as they fit the old-fashioned style of travel.

The only website I fully-endorse is the  Canal and River Trust . As the charity who runs the canal system, they provide updates on network stoppages.

Boat Safety

Never leave safety on the waters to chance  even when traveling at four miles an hour. Canal boat travel lulls you into thinking danger doesn't exist at such a leisurely pace, but accidents happen in the most unexpected places.

Locks are extremely dangerous , especially with the strong flow of water entering the lock chamber. And remember, canal boats can weigh between 15 and 35 tons, so you'll want to avoid falling overboard while in a lock.

Embarking and disembarking the vessel is also dangerous. And more so in wet weather or at night. Keep a bright torch handy to light your way.

It's also a good idea to keep a boat emergency kit . Some basic items should include a well-stocked first aid kit (Check Price on Amazon) , along with life jackets and a water ring (especially if you're traveling on tidal rivers).

Lastly, always keep up-to-date charts and always keep your cell phone charged. It could be a lifesaver.

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So, now that you've decided where you want to go, there are some basic housekeeping rules to follow.

An Essential Step: Engine Checks

• Check for correct coolant levels
• Make sure the alternator belts are tensioned correctly
• Check for sufficient oil levels
• Tighten hose connectors if necessary
• Let the engine warm up before setting off

Some Basic Tools You'll Need

• Windlass (Check Price on Amazon) :  An L-shaped tool with a square bracket at the end to wind the lock paddle mechanism. You won't be going anywhere without it. The design is so simple it's perfect. As locks and most swing bridges are manually operated, the windlass is a must.
• British Waterways Key : This is a universal key that gives you access to waste facilities, electric swing bridges, and water points.
• Mooring pins and mallet: Not all canal banks make it easy to moor. So having mooring pins is essential, especially if you're in the middle of nowhere and looking for a mooring.

Obstacles You Might Encounter During Your Trip

Because the canals cut through hills and valleys, ground levels can rise and fall with the contours of the land. Locks were invented to solve the problem, raising or lowering the level of boats where needed.

As an example: The Caen Hill lock flight has 29 locks, 16 in a sequence, which rise a staggering 72 meters in just 3.2 km.

How to Operate a Lock

The operation of a lock is quite simple: If you're traveling down an incline, the paddles on the gate nearest your approach should be opened to let the water equalize with the canal your boat is in.

When done, the gates are balanced finely to open easily. Once in the lock, close the gates and close the paddles.

Next, you'll open the paddles on the other gates at your bow. This allows water to empty from the chamber into the pound below. The boat will drop as the water drains until you've reached the same level as the pound below.

Again, the doors will open once the equalization is completed. Reverse the process to go uphill.

Water Points

These are marked on the guides and are situated frequently across the network, usually in favorite mooring spots. Make sure you have the British Waterways key handy. Otherwise, you can't operate them.

Swing Bridges

Because many canals cut through swathes of farmland and country tracks, pedestrians need access across the canals. That's where swing bridges come in.

These are an ingenious invention that allows for the bridge to swing open and shut to allow canal boats to pass and pedestrians to cross. You'll need your windlass to operate them as they have a locking nut holding them in place.

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Where You Can and Can't Travel

Not all canals are the same! Most canals in the south of the UK were built for wide beam crafts to travel, whereas, in the North of the country, canals are typically much narrower, allowing only narrow boats.

Canals were often built on the cheap to save money. If like me, you own a wide beam craft, you'll have to accept that there are unreachable parts of the network.

On some canals, the boat's length also matters. Again, mostly in northern England, locks are restricted to narrow craft no longer than 57 ft in length.

So if you want a boat that can access the entire system, it should be no wider than 6 ft 10 inches and no longer than 57 ft.

However, returning to the start of this piece, if you decide to take your boat abroad, you'll have different restrictions. In France, for example, canals are much broader than UK equivalents, giving you plenty of space to explore.

Because most rivers are tidal, extra care is needed when traveling. Canals don't ebb and flow with the tide, and water levels don't dramatically rise. So having safety equipment is vital if you're taking a trip on the river.

They're also much deeper than the canals, which are only four or five feet deep. On the tidal River Thames, stricter rules apply: You must have a VHF radio on board to keep in contact with the lock-keepers and for any distress calls.

Most of the locks are manned on the tidal Thames, so it's vital that you call ahead on the radio to let the lock-keeper know you're coming.  

Often, you have to book passage through, and it's handy for them to know (if you've called to say you're coming and you don't arrive) that you could be in trouble and need help.

Check Price on Amazon - Better Boat's boat soap keeps your boat clean and shiny from bow to stern. Simply rinse with a garden hose and nozzle for a non-slip finish. Hard-to-reach places can be tackled with an extension rod and a mop head .

So What Have We Learned?

First, if you're thinking of coming to the UK and experiencing the history and tradition of the canals, go for it! There's no better way of slipping into history and seeing the UK from a different angle. You'll discover much more traveling at four miles per hour than speeding by car just to arrive at your next accommodation.

Secondly, you learn to appreciate the countryside's diverse wildlife, as well as the different people. And you'll never meet a friendlier bunch of people than canal boaters.

Going so slowly does something to the brain. It unclogs it from stress, and that makes us happier individuals. But remember, canal boating, like all other forms of waterway travel, can be dangerous. Don't approach it with a flippant attitude, and always treat the water with respect. When you hit trouble, you'll be glad you forward planned your canal boat trip.

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The charity making life better by water

Making life better by water

Canal route planner

Whether you’re a continuous cruiser, paddler or boating holiday maker, make sure your journey goes without a hitch by using our website to plan your journey.

Using our map

Use our interactive map to help plan your route. You can check how many locks or tunnels you'll have to pass through, and where there are visitor moorings and boating facilities, such as water points.

Or, add your postcode or town name to our Local to You page to find local information on events, activities, news and more.

If you're using our maps and you see a marker with a number in it, this means that there is more than one entry at this location. Either click on it to see a list or zoom in further to see the entries separately.

Something not right? Use our online map correction tool to let us know about it.

Booking passage through tunnels and locks

You’ll need to book in advance to travel through certain tunnels, locks, other structures and stretches of water on our network

Cruising rings

If you don’t have time to explore our 2,000 miles of canals and rivers, why not try a circular boating route?

Downloadable waterway guides

Our downloadable waterway guides have been designed to help you navigate our canals and rivers

How to use our maps

Here's how to use our maps to plan your journey on our canals and rivers

Other useful information

Notices & stoppages.

Check your route for canal closures, restrictions and navigational advice, such as lock opening times

Size restrictions

Check the dimensions of our waterways to make sure that it's safe for your boat to travel on them

Water warnings

Water level and strong stream warnings tell you about conditions that may affect navigation, such as fast river flows

Boaters' guides

Our guides contain tailored information for each of our waterways

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Last Edited: 04 January 2024

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21 best canal boat trips in the UK

Watching the world go by from a narrowboat or barge may not be the fastest way to travel, but it’s a wonderful way to discover some of the UK’s most beautiful and interesting landscapes. Rolling countryside, quaint market towns, historic mill villages and UNESCO-listed industrial heritage – along with some truly cutting-edge modern additions to the canal network; you can see it all when you take these canal boat trips on Britain’s amazing inland waterways.

• Northern England
• Central England
• Southern England

Canal boat holidays

This post contains affiliate links – all that means is that if you buy something as a result of clicking on a link in the post, I’ll receive a small commission that helps me with the costs of running this site. Thanks!

Canal boat trips in northern England

Standedge tunnel, west yorkshire.

Let’s start this list of the best canal trips with something truly extraordinary. Standedge Tunnel, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is the longest, highest, deepest canal tunnel in the UK, and you can take a guided canal boat trip inside its astonishing depths.

Boat trips into the Standedge Tunnel start from Tunnel End near the village of Marsden in West Yorkshire. They’re operated, like a few of the boat tours on this list, by the Canal and River Trust , a charity which looks after 2000 miles of inland waterways in England and Wales.

After your 30-minute journey into the tunnel, you can explore a small museum which describes the arduous building of the tunnel in the late 18th century, its decline when the railways came, how it was abandoned for decades and was finally brought back to life in 2001 thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers.

Read more about visiting Standedge Tunnel

Skipton, North Yorkshire

Skipton is a gorgeous market town at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The Leeds and Liverpool canal arrived in Skipton in 1773, carrying coal, cloth and other cargo across the country from the ports at Liverpool and Hull (via the Aire and Calder Navigation).

Skipton is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside, and gliding through it on a canal boat trip is the perfect way to see it. From Skipton’s pretty marina in the centre of town, you can take a 1 hour trip to discover the canal, or 2 hour trips to enjoy an afternoon tea on the water.

If you’re thinking you might like to skipper your own boat for a canal boat holiday, a day cruise on the wide, lock-free stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal south of Skipton is a good place to perfect your skills. There’s even a handily-placed canalside pub for lunch.

The team at Skipton Boat Trips will give you all the tuition you need to take the helm of your hire boat with confidence, even if you’re a complete novice. If you love it, you can hire a boat for a short break canal holiday or a full week or more, depending on how many miles of waterways you want to explore.

Saltaire, West Yorkshire

15 miles south east of Skipton on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, you’ll find Saltaire. Saltaire is a picturesque model village built by Sir Titus Salt to house the workers from his enormous mill in hygienic, morally sound and intellectually improving surroundings.

Salts Mill and the village surrounding it are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of my favourite places to visit; the mill now holds an art gallery, interesting shops (including the most amazing bookshop) and cafes. Across the river, there’s a lovely park, and down on the canal you can buy ice creams from a barge and take 30-minute boat trips on the narrowboat Titus . Trips run from the end of March to the end of October.

Read more: visiting Salts Mill and Saltaire

Manchester owes a lot of its existence to canals. Canals allowed Manchester’s industrialists to bring raw materials into the city, along with coal to power the machines that would turn raw cotton into finished cloth.

At first, products were transported out of Manchester by barge on the Bridgewater Canal or later by rail, but this didn’t provide enough capacity for Manchester’s factories and mills.

This all changed when the Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894, providing a wide channel all the way to the sea at Liverpool. Manchester became Britain’s 3rd busiest port, despite being 40 miles from the sea.

Taking a guided canal boat trip is a great way to understand the history of Manchester. Boat trips run along the Manchester Ship Canal and the navigable parts of the River Irwell, passing Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry, plus the old Pomona docks. You can book your Manchester river and canal tour here .

Burscough, Lancashire

After the drama of the route across the Pennines, the Leeds and Liverpool canal spends its last few miles before arriving in Liverpool meandering across the west Lancashire landscape. This part of northern England is full of small towns and huge skies, and spending a couple of hours on the water is the perfect way to see it.

Lancashire Canal Cruises operate two cruises from Burscough, a small town near Ormskirk and Southport.

Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester

Ashton under Lyne is just to the east of Manchester, and the town’s Portland canal basin marks the point where the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Peak Forest Canal meet and the Ashton Canal begins its journey to Manchester city centre.

The 1800s canal warehouse at Portland Basin has been turned into a lively family museum with recreations of a 1920s street and the interior of a normal family home. There are also exhibitions on the history of Ashton’s three canals. Outside the museum, the Tameside Canal Boat Trust operate seasonal trips on the Ashton Canal on their narrowboat Still Waters .

Northwich, Cheshire

Together with the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, the Anderton Boat Lift is one of the most impressive sights on Britain’s canal network and is the world’s oldest working boat lift. The boat lift was built in 1875 to lift cargo boats 15 metres up in the air from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal and is still operational today.

You can experience the “cathedral of the canals” for yourself with a canal boat trip on the Edwin Clark , named after the engineer who built this amazing structure. The Anderton Boat Lift is having some refurbishment work done at the moment but boat trips are expected to resume after Easter 2023.

Ellesmere Port, Cheshire

The transhipment dock at Ellesmere Port, where the River Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and Shropshire Union Canal all meet, used to be a noisy, bustling spot at the height of the Industrial Revolution, but it’s now a peaceful spot for a family day out. The warehouse is now home to one of the Canal and River Trust’s three museums. The museum is a fascinating place to visit, with regularly-changing exhibitions, special events and themed “Canal Sundays” during the summer months.

Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust run occasional canal boat trips from the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. If there’s a group of you, you might want to hire one of their barges and skippers for a longer trip – they have a range of full day and short day options from £125, some of which stop off at canalside pubs for lunch.

Canal boat trips in central England

Cromford, derbyshire.

Cromford is a village on the edge of the Peak District and home to one of the great wonders of the industrial revolution, the huge Cromford Mills complex. Built in 1771 by the inventor and industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright, Cromford Mills was the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill.

Like Sir Titus Salt in Saltaire, Arkwright built a village to house his workers, and today Cromford is a lovely place to visit, with shops, cafes, a large mill pond and quaint streets. The UNESCO-listed mill has a museum about the mills, plus craft workshops and more shops and cafes.

The 14.5 mile long Cromford Canal was critical to the success of Arkwright’s mills, but it also carried people! An enterprising man named Nathaniel Wheatcroft started the first “fly” boat service from here, carrying passengers to Nottingham twice a week.

Boat trips from Cromford Basin run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and take a 2 hour route from Cromford Wharf to Leawood Pumphouse and back on board the narrowboat Birdswood . There’s also an occasional option for a premium cruise which includes refreshments and a guided tour of the historic places to visit along the route, including Leawood Pumphouse and High Peak Junction, where you can see the oldest extant railway workshop in the world. You can book both the regular and the premium tour on the Friends of Cromford Canal’s website .

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

The oldest canal in Britain is the Fosse Dyke Canal, which was built by the Romans to link Lincoln to the River Trent, and from there to the North Sea. Lincoln is a beautiful cathedral city, and spending a relaxing hour on this historic canal is a lovely way to see the wider area.

You can take a guided boat trip along the Fosse Dyke on the Brayford Belle which operates between Easter and October each year. The Brayford Belle has two decks, the lower one with central heating and the upper one with outside seating and a fantastic view.

Birmingham famously has more miles of canals than Venice or Amsterdam – over 35 miles of them. The canals arrived in Birmingham in 1768, and grew to a peak of 160 miles of canal across the city. Canals were essential to fuel Birmingham’s growth during the industrial revolution, bringing in raw materials and coal, and sending out finished goods.

You can explore Birmingham’s history by taking a canal boat trip with Brindley Cruises or Sherborne Wharf . Routes cover part of the original James Brindley Canal, a section of Telford’s New Main Line (revolutionary for its time) and Gas Street Basin. If you’re visiting Birmingham at Christmas, you can even take a “Search for Santa” canal trip.

Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

The Stratford-upon-Avon canal runs from the outskirts of Birmingham to the heart of historic Stratford, Shakespeare’s home town. The canal was built to transport coal from the Midlands down to Oxford and London, without needing to use the network through Birmingham. The route was near-derelict by the 1930s, but was rescued thanks to the efforts of the Inland Waterways Association, the National Trust and local volunteers.

Today, the 25 miles of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal is navigable again and visitors to Stratford can take 40 minute canal boat tours along the canal and the River Avon . Stratford’s resident swans often follow the boat, and there’s a good chance you’ll also see tufted ducks, herons, coots and perhaps a kingfisher too.

Dudley, West Midlands

Just as at Standedge, the main attraction for canal boat trips in Dudley is going underground. The Dudley Tunnel is the UK’s second-longest tunnel, but unlike Standedge, it isn’t continuous and instead emerges at points into canal basins.

The rock in this area is particularly rich in fossils and other geological features. The area was once heavily mined for its limestone, creating amazing caverns that the boat trip passes through. One of these, named the Singing Cavern, is even available for weddings!

Canal boat trips into Dudley Tunnel are run by the Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust . You can just turn up for the regular 45 minute trips or book online for longer trips. While you’re in the area, don’t miss a visit to the nearby Black Country Living Museum , which has a canal area featuring a collection of historic boats.

Banbury, Oxfordshire

The Oxford Canal meanders 78 miles from just north of Coventry, down through Rugby and Banbury and on until it meets the River Thames at Oxford.

While there are lots of river cruises on offer in Oxford itself, you’ll need to go to Banbury for canal boat trips on the Oxford Canal, unless you want a self-drive boat. Tooleys Boatyard Trust in Banbury offer regular, 40-minute canal boat trips on their day boat the Dancing Duck . Their Facebook page is the best place to check for boat trip times and dates.

Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

The Cotswolds are more famous these days for picturesque villages and trickling streams in a rolling, rural landscape, but there are canals here too. The Stroudwater Navigation opened in 1779 to link Stroud to the River Severn and from there to the sea. Ten years later, the Thames and Severn Canal opened, extending the route to the River Thames at Lechlade and providing a cross-country route.

Both the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal fell into decline, with sections being filled in, but the Cotswolds Canal Trust have worked tirelessly to bring parts back into use. It’s expected that the Stroudwater Navigation will join up with the national waterways network again in 2025.

The Cotswolds Canal Trust run canal boat trips on the navigable parts of the Stroudwater Navigation at the Saul visitor centre, Ebley Wharf and the Wallbridge Lock visitor centre. At Lechlade, you can take a boat trip on the River Thames from St John’s Lock to see the start of the old Thames and Severn Canal.

Canal boat trips in southern England

The Regent’s Canal in London is an 8.6-mile link between the Grand Union Canal near Paddington Station to the Limehouse Basin and River Thames near Canary Wharf.

The canal weaves its way prettily through some of North London’s most attractive and interesting areas, including Little Venice, Regent’s Park, Camden Town and the Coal Drops Yard area of Kings Cross.

Canal boat trips on the Regent’s Canal tend to run between Little Venice and Camden Town. On a tour with the London Waterbus Company you’ll be entertained by a commentary, which points out key sights along the route, including London Zoo, Maida Hill Tunnel and the homes of the rich and famous.

Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

The Kennet and Avon Canal is one of the UK canal network’s most popular waterways. Stretching from the Bristol channel, through the beautiful city of Bath then on through Devizes, Hungerford, Newbury to the Thames at Reading, it’s an outstanding route, passing through quintessentially English countryside.

One of the most beautiful towns on the Kennet and Avon is Bradford-on-Avon. Bradford-on-Avon is 10 miles from Bath and the tow paths are a popular walk between the two. At Bradford-on-Avon you can take a canal boat trip on the impressively large Barbara McLellan , a 65ft wide-beam boat that seats 40 and is operated by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

From Bradford-on-Avon, the Barbara McLellan sails west to Avoncliff Aqueduct and east to Widbrook winding hole. There are also a range of themed cruises throughout the season.

The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust have four other boats along the canal and also offer canal boat trips in Devizes , Hungerford , Newbury and Reading .

Canal boat trips in Wales

Llangollen, denbighshire.

The Llangollen Canal in North Wales is one of the most scenic canal trips in the UK, but you’ll need a good head for heights! The amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct soars over the valley of the River Dee and is the longest and highest canal aqueduct in the world. It was designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford, who was also involved in building Standedge Tunnel.

You can walk along the tow path to see the view from the aqueduct, but for the full Pontcysyllte experience, complete with checking out the sheer drop from the side of the boat on the canal side, Llangollen Wharf offer both motor and horse-drawn canal trips over the aqueduct.

The 5 mile route can be done in either direction, starting at Llangollen or Froncysyllte (near the aqueduct). The journey takes two hours; for an extra cost you can enjoy afternoon tea onboard. At the end of the trip, a courtesy bus will take you back to where you started.

Brecon, Powys

The peaceful Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (also known as the Mon and Brec) is one of the UK’s most scenic routes. 35 miles are currently navigable, and many of those are within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Things weren’t always so quiet and serene around here though; the canal transported coal, stone and iron ore from the Welsh hillsides down to the iron works at Blaenavon (now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage site ) and other industrial sites in the area. Cruising along the canal today you can still see traces of its heritage including wharves and lime kilns.

If you’re visiting this lovely part of Wales, Dragonfly Cruises have public canal boat trips departing from Brecon canal basin and including a journey over the Brynich Aqueduct which takes the Mon and Brec over the River Usk. They can also provide a skipper and guide for a canal trip through the area’s picturesque villages.

Canal boat trips in Scotland

Inverness, highlands.

The Caledonian Canal runs for 60 miles across Scotland, from Inverness to Corpach near Fort William, connecting the lochs of the Great Glen; Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. The man-made connections between the lochs were built by Thomas Telford and opened in the early 19th century.

You can take a combined cruise of the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness by joining a boat trip at Dochgarroch Lock. The trip will take you through the locks and on to Loch Douchfour, past the old Bona Lighthouse and into Loch Ness as far as Urquhart Castle. You can book online through online ticket seller Get Your Guide .

The Falkirk Wheel is one of the most impressive feats of engineering on the whole UK canal network. Opened in 2002, the Wheel is a rotating boat lift, the only one of its kind in the world. It connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

The best way to see the Falkirk Wheel is to take a spin on it. Canal boat trips on the Falkirk Wheel take around 50 minutes. First you’ll go into the canal basin, then enter the Wheel’s gondola, ready to be lifted into the air as the Wheel rotates.

At the top, you’ll sail along the aqueduct, through the Roughcastle Tunnel and to the start of the Union Canal. The boat will turn round and take you back to the Wheel for another spin, this time back down to the canal basin.

If day trips aren’t enough for you, there are lots of companies offering canal boat hire, either to stay put and use the boat as a base, or to explore the UK’s miles of navigable waterways at your own pace on a narrow boat holiday.

VRBO has narrow boats, house boats and barges for rent with all the comforts of home, while specialist hire firms like Waterways Holidays have canal boat hire across the country. There are lots of local companies as well; if you’re interested in a particular starting point, you might like to talk to a local specialist who can advise you on canal routes and the best places of interest to see along the way.

Have you taken one of these canal boat trips, or have I missed out your favourite? Let me know in the comments.

Related posts

If you enjoyed this post, you might find these other posts interesting:

• Visiting Jodrell Bank, the UNESCO-listed radio telescope near Manchester
• 5 of my favourite heritage railways you can take a ride on
• Things to do in Whitby, a historic fishing town on the Yorkshire coast
• Visiting Thermae Bath Spa, the UK’s only naturally-heated thermal bath

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2 thoughts on “21 best canal boat trips in the UK”

A Great shame you did not include The Horse-Drawn Barge in Tiverton Devon as it is now one of the last Horse-Drawn Barges in Great Britain and operates Trips along the very beautiful Grand Western Canal.

Thanks Philip, that sounds amazing, I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in the south west 🙂

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Bruges Canal Tours: Everything You Need To Know

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During our recent family trip to Europe, Abby and I took a  day trip from Brussels to Bruges , a beautiful town in Belgium. We both wanted to go on one of the legendary Bruges canal tours. I’m so glad we did! This fairytale European city needs to be on your bucket list! 

Where is Bruges?

Bruges is a serene small Flemish town just northwest of  Brussels . Visiting Bruges is a perfect day trip from Brussels and is easily accessible by train.

Bruges is known as an idyllic small European city steeped in historical charm. It’s home to gorgeous canals and many fascinating landmarks. Furthermore, The city also has many great restaurants, pubs, and street-side vendors.

Visiting Bruges, Belgium

If you are visiting Brussels for a few days, taking an extra day to go to Bruges is well worth the time. Its gorgeous canals winding along against ancient stone buildings have led Bruges to be called the “Venice of the North.” 

In this blog post, I want to provide information about taking a Bruges canal tour, highlight the city’s history, and discuss some landmarks you’ll likely see on these Bruges canal tours.

Getting to Bruges from Brussels

From Bruges, you just need to hop on the Belgium intercity train. You can board directly from one of the main Brussels train stations, including Bruxelles-Nord (Brussels North), Bruxelles-Central (Brussels Central), and Bruxelles-Midi (Brussels South).

The Brussels to Bruges train runs all day, and the ride is just over an hour.  

The Belgium train website has a  dedicated page for the Brussels to Bruges train route , which is a great resource. You can buy tickets from that page as well. 

The route trip Brussels to Bruges train tickets are a standard € 32.00 for adults. However, there are a lot of discounted ticket options listed as well, and most are € 17.50 or less. 

The Bruges Canal Tours

Once you arrive in Bruges, you should have a game plan for your canal tour. It’s helpful to know a little bit about the city's layout. 

Bruges rests within a mesh of several canals that penetrate and encircle the city. These canals ultimately allow boat access to the North Sea, located about 20 kilometers north of the city. The town’s access to the North Sea made Bruges a vital shipping hub for centuries. 

The canals lining the town are relatively inaccessible as they are flanked everywhere by houses and other structures. Because of this, there are only a few places, other than bridges, where you can see the canals.  

Therefore, the best way to see these picturesque canals is on a boat tour!

Planning Bruges Canal Tours

There are five landing stages along the canals. These are the only places you can embark on a canal tour. The routes and prices are generally the same across the different tour operators. There are several canal tour operators, each with their own open-air boats.  They pretty much all follow the same route, so in my opinion, the best Bruges canal tour is the one with the shortest line.

Bruges Canal Tour Boarding Locations

Boarding takes place at the following locations. Each tour operator will leave from a different location, so be sure to check their website.

•  Michielssens, Huidenvettersplein 13
•  Coudenys, Rozenhoedkaai
•  De Meulemeester, Wollestraat 32
•  Gruuthuse, Nieuwstraat 11
•  Stael, Katelijnestraat 4

Scroll around the above map of Bruges to get a lay of the land!

The Bruges Canal Tour boat trip takes around 30 minutes. The boats typically operate between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, with 5:30 often being the last tour. Tours generally operate most of the year, except in January and early February.  

However, tour availability will vary by operator and may change based on events like municipal construction projects, canal restoration initiatives, and severe weather.

Bruges Canal Tours Tickets

Unlike the  canal tours in Amsterdam  and the  Seine River cruises in Paris , you cannot book Bruges canal tour tickets in advance. You buy your tickets directly from the tour companies at the landing stages. As of writing this, the Bruges Canal Tour price for adult tickets is € 12.00, and children’s tickets are € 7.00.

You may need to wait in line at the landing stages to purchase tickets. The canal tours are very popular and will get busy. Bruges has an active cruise ship industry (Norwegian, Holland America, Windstar, Celebrity), and the town will fill up with  cruise  passengers on day excursions.  

The extra traffic means lines for the canal tours will get longer after about 11 am. Before 11 am is the best time to ensure you have shorter lines. It also gives you the rest of the day to explore Bruges.  

TIP: Get in line for your canal tour as early as possible in Bruges. 

Private canal tours are also available. Several companies offer tours with different types of boats. Contact the companies directly to find out more.

There are a couple of great s mall-group Bruges canal tours available through Get Your Guide . They also include a Bruges walking tour. These are a great option if you want to be able to buy Bruges canal tour tickets in advance.

Other Things to Consider

During the canal tour, the boat guide will comment on the significant landmarks and history of the area. During our  day trip to Bruges , our canal tour guide did a great job narrating the tour and pointing out interesting areas, landmarks, and historical sights. Most guides can speak multiple languages and will do their best to tailor the language to the passengers’ needs. 

The boats are cash-only. Be sure to bring a few Euros to tip your tour guide.

If you want to take pictures, try to be at the front, back, or side of the boat. Most of the boats have a line of seats down the middle, but people may block your pictures if you sit there.  

The boats are open-air and uncovered, so be sure to wear your sunscreen! Also, the tours can get pretty chilly, depending on the time of year, so bring a jacket. We love the  Amazon Essentials packable jackets  for our travels.

It’s always helpful to know the history and significance of a city prior to visiting. So, I want to take some time here to talk more in-depth about Bruges and, of course, the canals. Then, I will share some of the incredible landmarks that you will see from your Bruges canal tour. 

The History Of Bruges And Its Canals

Bruges has witnessed a remarkable evolution over the centuries. Its history encapsulates the ebb and flow of urban development, from its Viking origins to a flourishing medieval center, economic decline, and eventual modern-day revival.  

The city’s tremendous ability to adapt to changing circumstances and preserve its cultural heritage is a testament to the strength and perseverance of the Danish people across time.

Origins of Bruges, Belgium

The origin of Bruges can be traced to the 9th century when Vikings established a fortress on the banks of the Reie River. The name “Bruges” is believed to be derived from the Old Dutch word “Burg,” meaning fortress. The city gradually developed into a bustling medieval trade center due to its strategic location and access to the North Sea.

The Golden Era of Bruges

Bruges experienced its golden era during the late medieval period, particularly in the 14th and 15th centuries. The city became a major commercial and cultural hub, attracting merchants, artists, and scholars across Europe.  

Bruges's thriving wool and textile industry and sophisticated network of canals contributed to its prosperity. It was home to the influential Bourse, one of the earliest stock exchanges in the world.

Bruges Economic Decline

Despite its flourishing period, Bruges faced economic challenges in the 16th century. The silting of the Zwin, a vital waterway for trade, led to a decline in maritime activity, impacting Bruges’ economy.  

Additionally, geopolitical shifts and the rise of other European trading centers contributed to the city's gradual decline in prominence.

Modern Times and Revival of Bruges

For several centuries, Bruges endured a period of relative obscurity. However, in the 19th century, efforts were made to preserve its medieval architecture, and the city gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.  

The 20th century saw a revival in Bruges’ fortunes, with tourism becoming a key driver of its economy. The city’s well-preserved medieval structures, including the Belfry of Bruges and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, attract millions of visitors annually.

What Do You See on the Bruges Canal Tours?

During the Bruges canal tours, your tour guide will highlight many fascinating landmarks. Each place gives you a window into the long history of this amazing city.  

Like many European cities, it’s steeped in lore that spans epochs, and seemingly every bridge or building has a colorful and long legacy.  

Here is a list of many sites you will probably see on the Bruges canal tours. 

Founded in 1245, the Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde boasts serene white-colored house fronts and a tranquil convent garden.  

This UNESCO World Heritage site was once the residence of beguines—emancipated laywomen leading pious and celibate lives. Today, the beguinage is home to the Order of St. Benedict nuns.

Saint John’s Hospital

With an eight-hundred-year history, Saint John’s Hospital has cared for pilgrims, travelers, the poor, and the sick. Explore the medieval wards where nuns and monks practiced mercy, the chapel, and a remarkable collection of archives, artworks, medical instruments, and six paintings by Hans Memling.  

Church of Our Lady

The Church of Our Lady showcases Bruges’ artisans’ craftsmanship through its 115.5 meters high brick tower. The church has valuable art, including Michelangelo’s renowned Madonna and Child, numerous paintings, 13th-century painted crypts, and the tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold. Abby and I visited after our canal tour, and it was incredible! 

Groeninge Museum

Offering a diverse overview of Belgian plastic arts history, the Groeninge Museum features Flemish Primitives, 18th and 19th-century neoclassical pieces, Flemish Expressionism masterpieces, and post-war modern art.

Ambachtshuis Huidevetters

Built by hide tanners, this craft house near Rozenhoedkaai has two wings. The north wing, demolished in 1629, was replaced in 1630 under the guidance of Bruges architect Jan De Smet. The building was restored in 1912. It has been used as a fishmonger and stockfish farm since the mid-19th century.

Belfry & Carillon

Bruges’ tallest tower, the Belfry, standing 83 meters tall, houses a melodic carillon with 47 bells. Climbing its 366 steps rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view of Bruges and its surroundings.

Fish Market

Originally located at Markt Square, the fish market was moved here in the 18th century due to complaints about the stench. Since the Middle Ages, buyers and sellers have come together at the Bruges fish market. Fresh saltwater fish, once a luxury, is still sold every morning from Wednesday to Saturday.

These small whitewashed almshouses, dating back to the 14th century, are scattered around Bruges. Wealthy townspeople or guilds established almshouses to house poor older adults or widows. Over 46 blocks have been preserved, with 43 still occupied.

Burghers’ Lodge

Situated on Jan Van Eyckplein, the Poortersloge (Burgher’s Lodge) served as a meeting spot for the Society of the White Bear in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Later, it became the city’s Academy of Arts (1720-1890) and the State Archives (1912-2012).

Visiting Bruges: The “Venice of the North”

Visiting Bruges to take one of the Bruges canal tours is a fantastic way to add something special to your trip to Belgium. Its quaint stone houses, romantic canals, cobbled streets, cookies, waffles, and chocolate make it a bucket-list destination to take friends and family of any age.  

The iconic canals are a dream for photographers. Travel to and around the city is simple and inexpensive. And as you can tell by this post, Bruges canal tours should be on your list. I recommend this trip to everyone!  

Visit the European Travel section of my blog for more adventures in Europe, and you may also enjoy the related posts below.

Our Magical Brussels To Bruges Day Trip

2 Days in Brussels: What We Did

Hotel Indigo Brussels City

European Travel Essentials

How To Plan A Trip To Europe For Your Family 

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Posted by Shelby Herbert | Jun 18, 2024

A Petersburg-based commercial crab boat capsized in Duncan Canal on the morning of Sunday, June 16. A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard reported that the two people aboard the 22-foot Mangy Otter survived the sinking, and were unharmed. 

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LEARNING FROM SHIPWRECKS: A New Exhibit Showcases Canal Boat Stories from a Fresh Perspective

The General Butler on the Burlington Breakwater, 2000, Ernest Haas, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Collection. Courtesy photos.

Vermont Business Magazine Lake Champlain Maritime Museum has announced they are opening a new exhibit that dives into the history of canal boats. Using research and artifacts recovered from shipwrecks in Lake Champlain by underwater archaeologists, as well as interviews with real people and interactive experiences, the exhibit shares lesser-known local stories of canal boats and the people who worked on board, providing unexpected points of connection for all with this key era of local history. The exhibit, titled “Underwater Archaeology: Diving into the Stories of People and Canal Boats on Lake Champlain,” will open to the public on July 13, 2024.

While the maritime industry of the 19th century was largely dominated by men, the canal boat community was strikingly different. Boats were often owned and operated by families who lived on board, combining work and home for men, women, and children, and building strong, connected communities with other canal boat families. 

For the museum’s research and archaeology team, the work of excavating canal boat shipwrecks in Lake Champlain is a unique and special experience as they discover families’ home goods, toys, tools, and clothes as well as the cargo that canal boats were tasked with delivering.

The new exhibit experience invites visitors to immerse themselves in these stories and experience being an underwater archaeologist diving on a shipwreck to recover artifacts. Using 3D models of original artifacts, visitors can experience what it’s like to find an object in dark water by guessing what it is by touch alone. 

Through audio recordings of interviews with two women who grew up on canal boats, visitors can listen to first-person accounts of what life was like for children on these vessels, going to school in the winter, recreation, and more. A rich collection of objects including artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, ship models, and documents welcomes visitors to envision life on board for the diverse mix of people who lived and worked on canal boats.

Featured artifacts include a toy boat and woman’s overshoe recovered from the sailing canal boat General Butler shipwreck just off the Burlington breakwater, an iron kettle from the canal boat Vergennes, a 19th-century cornet from the sailing canal boat O.J. Walker, and more.

The public is invited to a special preview of this new exhibit at the museum’s annual Summer Party on Fri. July 12. This is an evening event that includes live music, local food, a raffle and silent auction, and after hours access to exhibits. Tickets to the party and exhibit preview are available for purchase at www.lcmm.org/SummerParty .

The museum is also holding a free event on Sat., July 13 for the public to view more artifacts recovered from canal boats that couldn’t fit into the exhibit. Visitors will be able to speak with museum experts, ask questions, and hear more stories uncovered through underwater archaeology. Event details are available at www.lcmm.org/collections-corner-canalboat-artifacts .

The new exhibit will open on July 13 at 10 a.m. and will be open daily for the public to visit until the museum closes for the season on Oct. 20, 2024. Admission to Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is free for all visitors. Plan your visit at www.lcmm.org .

In Tow Down Lake Champlain, Postcard 340, circa 1900. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Collection.

About Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Founded in 1985, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum connects all people to Lake Champlain, inspiring them to learn from the past, build together in the present, and create a sustainable future. Committed to free access to the lake and its history, archaeology, and ecology, the Museum is open to all from late May to mid-October for free admission. Year-round education programs serve more than 2,500 K-12 students, as well as hundreds of educators locally and nationally. For more information, visit www.lcmm.org .

Source: VERGENNES, VT – Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

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Biking Through Southern France, and History

The Canal du Midi traverses the Occitanie region and gives cyclists of all skill levels access to parts of France that are rich in lore, yet sometimes passed over by visitors.

By William Fleeson

The Canal du Midi, entirely hand-dug and hailed as an engineering marvel on completion in 1681, offers a refreshing alternate take on French travel: a bikeable path through the towns and landscapes of the country’s south. Traversing Occitanie, the canal gives cyclists of all skill levels access to parts of France that are rich in history, yet sometimes passed over by visitors with (only) Paris on their mind.

When I discovered that the canal was manageable for nonserious cyclists like me, I was hooked. Stretching from the city of Toulouse to the Mediterranean port town of Sète, the 150-mile waterway offers mostly flat cruising for the thousands of riders who take to its towpaths every year.

For nearly a week in July, I cycled upstream from Sète as far as Toulouse. I rented an electric bike and other gear from Paulette , a rental company that focuses on canal tourists . The rental totaled about $400. I also took advantage of the group’s super-convenient send-ahead luggage service. That lightened my load to take on the canal, its large and small towns, and its historical undercurrents. I wanted to see its famous écluses , or oval-shaped locks, and the idyllic country scenes on the way. I didn’t really plan ahead — as a novice, I didn’t know how far my legs could take me. Given my fluid schedule, I opted to find accommodation via the canal’s abundant tourist offices after arriving wherever I chose to stay the night.

Up a canal with a rented bike

The road from Sète starts at the sea. The former fishing town, where I picked up my bike as well as side bags for the essentials I wasn’t sending onward, ranks as a low-key favorite among French and foreign visitors. I pedaled southwest out of town on a Saturday morning, the shimmering Mediterranean to my left.

Starting at one end of the original canal helped me appreciate the ambition of the waterway’s visionary builder. Pierre-Paul Riquet, born in nearby Béziers in the early 1600s, conceived of the Canal du Midi as just one section of a Canal des Deux Mers — a “two-sea canal” — connecting the Mediterranean with the Atlantic, and stretching from Sète as far as Bordeaux.

Joining the two coasts would open up a lucrative alternate trade route to sailing around Spain and Portugal, and would develop French inland commerce in the process — mostly for the region’s salt, wheat and wine. But how to build a body of water from scratch? Riquet’s “canal of communication,” as he called the full project, would draw waters flowing south from the Montagne Noire, on France’s central uplands, and north from the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains that border Spain.

After years of planning, and an early, self-funded demonstration project, Riquet persuaded King Louis XIV to back the Canal des Deux Mers, with the Canal du Midi ending in Toulouse and the Canal de Garonne running from there to the northwest. It would become the largest construction zone in 17th-century France, after Versailles .

My first day on the canal, after clocking 28 miles and an embarrassing handful of wrong turns, I stopped for the night in Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, amid the start of Europe’s “ Cerberus ” heat wave. The town, heavy on Spanish influence, was holding a bull festival, with an event running the animals down the main thoroughfare. The stop showed me cultural elements from across France’s nearby border — an exchange the Canal du Midi has accelerated over three and a half centuries.

On Thomas Jefferson’s trail

Picking up the canal the next morning, I rode through 24 miles of vineyards, sunshine and more heat. If I was freewheeling in a literal sense, I was also mindful not to push too far, too hard, without firm plans for accommodation, given the sacrosanct weekend hours of a French summer Sunday.

At lunchtime I stopped in Le Somail, a hamlet that once served as a stop for canal travelers. Over a stone bridge made bright with flower boxes, I noticed a plaque in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The founding father traveled the canal as part of a three-month trip through France and Italy, stopping in Le Somail in May of 1787. In his notes from the journey, the 44-year-old Jefferson expressed a preference for solo travel. “One travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more,” he wrote. I was hoping for my own modest dose of Jefferson’s reflections.

The tourist office at Le Somail, with a surprisingly well-done adjacent exhibit on the canal, recommended the bed-and-breakfast Le Neptune , a few hundred yards away. Run by Dirk and Inge Demeulenaere — a retired Belgian couple who spoke Flemish to each other between conversations with guests — Le Neptune provided tasteful, 19th-century digs with funky modern accents, like Beatles posters and a bead screen with a likeness of Salvador Dalí. The couple served me breakfast on their verdant outdoor patio, then saw me off personally. I was glad to have stopped in Le Somail, as much for Jeffersonian surprises as for the unexpectedly sweet hospitality I received.

Castles and Cathars

The 34-mile ride from Le Somail to the next large city, Carcassonne, brought the trip’s most challenging terrain: hills, rough gravel and long stretches made narrow by weeds and overgrowth. In places the canal doubled back on itself, winding hairpins through fields and throwing off stop-and-gawk views from the waterway’s raised embankments. Despite the hard slog, the arrival in Carcassonne, and the medieval castle from which the town has enjoyed centuries of fame, made the difficulty worthwhile. The castle’s towers proved as dizzying as the day’s 99-degree high.

A settlement predating France’s Roman era, Carcassonne expanded during the 12th and 13th centuries via massive fortification projects, a response to wars between the kingdom of France and outsiders like the Albigensians and the Aragonese. The walled medieval city, whose old town is still inhabited, benefited from major conservation efforts in the 19th century. The result obliges every castle cliché, with teeth-like crenelated ramparts and towers with roofs shaped like witches’ hats. Costumed tour guides enhance the effect.

The development of Carcassonne’s castle also stems from the city’s role as a flashpoint in the religious history of southern France, notably through the Cathar religious movement, considered outside the bounds of traditional Catholicism. The 13th century brought to a head tensions between Cathars and local Catholic populations, resulting in sieges and executions across the region. Carcassonne and its castle counted among Cathar strongholds before French kings gradually absorbed the region into their sphere of control. I left Carcassonne with a fresh understanding of French history and places well outside the country’s more-touristed zones.

A quest for cassoulet

The next day required a shorter, 25-mile ride to the town of Castelnaudary. I had motivation to get there quickly: “Castel,” as locals call it, is home to cassoulet, France’s peerless pot of pork, duck, sausage and steaming white kidney beans. Between a lock keeper outside town, and the attendants at Castel’s tourist office, a restaurant called Chez David came recommended twice in an hour. I knew where I was headed for lunch.

The restaurant’s head chef, David Campigotto, could be dubbed the Guy Fieri of cassoulet: with a rock ’n’ roll aesthetic of piercings, tattoos and a goatee, his style is as bold as his gastronomy. I arrived at the restaurant as raucous blues music was playing from speakers overhead. Photos of guitars hung on the walls. Each table’s water jug was a repurposed bottle from Kentucky’s Bulleit bourbon distillery.

When my cassoulet came, the waiter ran down a well-polished summary of the dish’s process and ingredients. Even before the cooking begins, he said, the kidney beans soak in bouillon overnight. The pot then matures in the oven for six hours — “at least,” Mr. Campigotto told me, in a conversation after my meal. The meats and beans stew in their own juices and bring the dish to a coherent, and transporting, unity of flavors. The chef and some of his staff travel to Chicago most years for events with the prominent local chef and restaurateur Paul Kahan . Mr. Campigotto said he loves the city, where he plays the part of gastro-diplomat to scores of Chicagoans. He travels with his own kidney beans.

Toward the “Pink City”

Leaving Castelnaudary, the bike felt heavier. (Or was it just the cassoulet?) I rolled through sunflower fields and cooler weather on my final day, combined with a quick train ride — regional lines accommodate bikes and weary cyclists — for the final 39 miles to Toulouse. Along the way lay a geographic wonder: the Threshold of Naurouze , the dividing point between the Atlantic and Mediterranean watersheds. There, about 600 feet above sea level, the Canal du Midi’s water flow changes directions. A feeder stream from the Montagne Noire keeps the water even on either side. The last lock before Naurouze is the écluse de la Méditerranée; the first after it, the écluse de l’Océan, meaning the Atlantic. In this way the Canal du Midi captures a sense of France’s geography, and its breadth, between two seas.

Called the “Pink City” for its red stone and brick buildings, Toulouse, France’s fourth-largest city, often goes overlooked, perhaps given its distance from Paris. For cyclists from the canal or elsewhere, Toulouse is an eminently bikeable town: dedicated lanes for vélos run everywhere, with myriad signs and arrows to help. Paulette’s Toulouse office accepted my bike earlier than scheduled, with no fee or questions asked.

Now bike-free, I took in Toulouse for its sunny — and indeed, pink — splendor. The narrow rue Saint-Rome greeted pedestrians with brick facades and pastel-painted shutters. The Place du Capitole hosted restaurants and grand cafes, and had a street market on the day I visited. The Capitole building itself, with its red stone and white columns, houses the mayor’s office as well as the Toulouse opera.

Walking the city that evening, I saw in a state of happy fatigue the brilliant Capitole and other buildings. Toulouse, and the points of interest since my start in Sète, made cycling the Canal du Midi worth every pedaled mile.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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