Paddleboarding-River Lea Tottenham Hale to Hackney Wick

Paddleboarding-River Lea Tottenham Hale to Hackney Wick

Paddling the River Lea between Tottenham Hale and Hackney Wick offers a dynamic mix of urban grit and natural beauty, where industrial and residential areas meet wild spaces.

A full route description can be found in our book Paddleboarding South East

Distance 6.5km (one way)

Paddling environment: Canalised river

Access restrictions Licence required, included in Paddle UK Membership

Starting Point Downstream of Tottenham Hale Lock, off Ferry Lane, Tottenham Hale, N17 9PY. Grid ref. TQ 347 894; What3Words could.sleepy.rarely.

Finish Point Hackney Wick (adjacent to Moo Canoes). Grid ref. TQ 373 844; What3Words skills.quite.burst.  

Launching Canal side, 250m walk from station.

Pitstops popular riverside pub renowned for its roasts, Princess of Wales, Lea Bridge, tel. 0208 5333463; great beer and atmosphere, CRATE Brewery, Hackney Wick, tel. 07547 695841; burgers and hotdogs with a Latino twist, The Milk Float, Hackney Wick, 07870 090423.

Trips Leaside Trust, Springfield Park, tel. 0208 8066887.

Hire Moo Canoes, Hackney Wick, tel. 07879 909423.

Getting there Start Tottenham Hale rail station, walk left onto Ferry Lane and follow to river bridge, take steps down to river, walk under bridge and launch south of bridge. Finish Hackney Wick rail station, leave towpath by Moo Canoes, walk up ‘slipway’ to White Post Lane, turn left and follow to station (320m walk).

Special points

Watch out for rowers on the river who may not see you as they pass by. Although managed by locks, check local conditions on the river at https://riverlevels.uk/flood-warning-lower-river-lee-at-hackney-and-walthamstow

Paddleboarding Tottenham Hale to Hackney Wick Route