River & Canal Walks

This 97 km Scottish Highlands route keeps the walking low-level and waterside, following the Caledonian Canal corridor from Corpach/Banavie to Inverness. It is easy, point-to-point and typically a five-day walk.

For river walking rather than towpath walking, the Ouse Valley Way follows the River Great Ouse for 229 km. Easy riverside, fenland and farmland terrain make it a long but level-feeling 9–12 day route.

The Thames Path fits the river side of this collection perfectly, following the River Thames for 296 km on an easy, waymarked National Trail with riverside, wetland, grassland and urban walking over about 14 days.

At 240 km over 8–10 days, the Canal du Midi Towpath is a classic long canal walk: easy, almost entirely flat, and varied with towpath, farmland, vineyards, wetlands and urban sections across southern France.

Ireland’s National Famine Way brings history into a flat waterside journey: 165 km in six days from Strokestown to Dublin Docklands, mostly on hard canal towpath, greenway, quiet roads and farmland.

The Weaver Way is a compact Cheshire choice at 64 km over about three days. It is waymarked, easy and mainly canal towpath and riverside path, with lowland countryside, wetland and urban sections.

At just 14 km, the Crinan Canal Towpath is one of the best short introductions to canal walking. It is flat, easy and point-to-point across Argyll from Loch Fyne to the Sound of Jura.

The Towy Valley Walk is a 21 km traffic-free route in Carmarthenshire, running between Carmarthen and Ffairfach. Lowland river valley, riverside, woodland and wetland terrain keep it gentle but varied.

This 56 km towpath route gives a shorter multi-day option, usually taking 2–4 days from Brecon to Cwmbran. Canal, riverside, farmland and woodland terrain add variety while the difficulty stays easy.

Linking Bowling Harbour with Lochrin Basin in central Edinburgh, this 106 km Scottish towpath crosses the central belt in about four days. Easy canal, lowland, urban and rural terrain make it a practical level journey.

The Burgundy Canal Towpath offers a longer French option: 242 km along the Canal de Bourgogne, usually walked in 12–13 days. Its easy point-to-point line links Migennes with Saint-Jean-de-Losne.

The Ashby Canal Trail is a flat, lock-free towpath walk in the English Midlands, running 35 km between Marston Junction and Snarestone. Its easy grade and 1–2 day length suit a relaxed weekend.

The Royal Canal Greenway is purpose-built for gentle distance: 130 km of easy, flat canal towpath in Ireland, running off-road from Maynooth harbour to Cloondara, where the canal meets the River Shannon.

The Amstel River Trail is a flat 14 km riverside day walk from central Amsterdam to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. Polder, pasture, parks and river terrain make it an easy urban-to-rural option.

This 6 km Belgian day walk is the gentlest pick here: flat, easy and mostly on paved or asphalt towpath from Bruges to Damme, with urban and wetland terrain beside the Damse Vaart.