Dartmoor National Park Authority

Canoeing

Many hundreds of people enjoy canoeing on Dartmoor each year.  The heavy winter rains often produce seasonally exciting conditions within the National Park, making it a popular area for clubs from around the country.

*CanoeBus Shuttle - another successful season*

The canoebus shuttle was again very well received with approximately 2500 canoeists carried during the 08/09 season. It is estimated that this saved 585 KG CO2 (enough to power a PC for nearly 19,000 hours!)

Dartmoor National Park Authority would like to acknowledge the support of the BCU Dart Access, Wood Brothers of  Buckfastleigh, the National Trust and Spirit of Adventure in ensuring that this service operated so successfully in 2008/09.

Where you can canoe
Dartmoor's rivers are home to many types of wildlife and are important for recreational fishing so waterborne activities, including canoeing, can only take place within the National Park, with the riparian owner's consent.  Such access is generally only offered to British Canoe Union (BCU) members.

The River Dart is the most popular canoeing destination in the National Park and the magnificent white water is considered by many canoeing enthusiasts to be amongst the best Mid Grade Runs in the west.  If you are planning to canoe the Dart please remember that the Dart valley is a habitat of European importance and has been identified as Prime Biodiversity Area by English Nature.  To preserve the special qualities of the area canoeing is only permitted during the winter months and the numbers of canoeists permitted to paddle on any one day are limited.  A booking system is operated on the Upper Section only by the British Canoe Union.

BCU River Dart Access Season

Upper section: Dartmeet to Newbridge - 1st Nov to 14th March

Loop/Middle section: Newbridge to Holne Bridge - 1st Oct to 14th March

For further information and to obtain a permit visit www.dartaccess.co.uk(external link, opens new window)

River Dart & Torridge Local Access Officers - Icarus & Fiona Edmonds Email: dartaccess@aol.com

Tel: 01805-623140 (Answered on Mondays 4-6 pm and Thursdays 10am-1 pm)

The Old Post House, St Giles-in-the-Wood, Torrington, Devon EX38 7JQ

Abandoned/lost Craft
Any abandoned craft which are reported to the Police have to be treated as an emergency and a search instigated. This often wastes valuable time and resources therefore, if you lose your boat and have safely come off the river please ensure the Police are immediately notified using the non emergency number 08452 777 444, providing
exact location - including river,
canoe - colour make and type and any significant identification features
canoeist details and contact numbers.

Canoeing with Moor Care and Less Wear

As canoeing tends to be concentrated within short spells of time when the river conditions are right please make sure that you adopt the following code of conduct to ensure that canoeists continue to be welcome within the National Park.

Code of Conduct

•Canoe only where there is an access agreement permitting you to do so.

•Canoe only during the season when access is allowed.

•Remember that access is permitted during daylight hours only, i.e. one hour after sunrise until one hour before sunset, in order to protect wildlife.

•Use only permitted access and egress points and do not disembark at any other point, except in an emergency (not for lunch or to repeat any part of the river).

•Take care when the ground is wet to minimise erosion to the river bank when entering or leaving the water.

•Avoid sudden or excessive noise or unnecessary disturbance to bankside vegetation.

•Show consideration for the local community and other National Park users when parking vehicles; do not obstruct gates and roads and avoid eroding the moor edge.

•Keep away from banks where angling is taking place.

•Canoe in small groups whenever possible and avoid loitering in pools if anyone is already fishing there.

•Change clothing discreetly and with consideration for other users of the National Park.

For your own safety and the safety of others, please:

•wear a buoyancy aid at all times;

•wear a helmet if you are likely to canoe in white/rough water;

•keep away from weirs and sluices.

All rivers receive some sort of dirty water; please make sure you:

•cover minor cuts and scratches with waterproof plasters before setting out;

•ensure that any abrasions received on or beside the water are washed under running tap water and covered with a waterproof dressing as soon as possible;

•avoid capsizing and try not to swallow river water;

•wear trainers or wet suit boots to avoid cutting your feet;

•wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking;

•do not drop litter or discard unwanted food – take your rubbish home with you;

•be aware of symptoms relating to waterborne illnesses such as Weil’s Diseases (Leptopsirosis) a bacterial infection carried in rat urine which contaminates water and river banks and leads to meningitis, jaundice and sometimes death.  If you do feel ill, particularly if you experience flu-like symptoms, tell your doctor that you have been canoeing.

Further Information

General and access enquiries

Email: recreation@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk

Page updated 6 April 2009