Kirklees Locks – Portage on the right and rejoin the river
As you rejoin the river you should be able to see the Old Corn Mill public house on the far bank, just upriver of your current position. Unfortunately, there is no easy way of reaching the pub from here, so you will need to continue on down the river.
In just under a mile you will reach the Cooper Bridge Flood lock on the left, taking you onto a short canal cut missing the Cooper Bridge Weir. There is a fish pass on this weir but unfortunately, there are currently metal spikes in the shoot which makes canoe dangerous at low levels. It is hoped that we can overcome this problem one day, but for now keep away from the fish pass.
Cooper Bridge Flood Lock – On the left, pass through the flood lock onto the canal.
At the end of the canal cut is a difficult portage as the tow path is a long way above the water, take care.
Cooper Bridge Lock – Portage on the left, rejoin the river on the left bank
On rejoining the river there is about ½ mile paddle before you reach the Battyeford Flood Lock on the right which takes you onto the Battyeford cut.
Battyeford Flood Lock – Pass through the flood lock on the right onto the canal
Another ½ mile will bring you to the South Pennine Boat Club, just before you reach the Battyeford Lock. This marina was originally a boat yard back on the 1850’s and would have manufactured a number of the barges that plied their trade up and down the navigation from Wakefield to Sowerby Bridge. The current members of the boat club rescued this derelict yard in the 1970 and have turned it into one of the most picturesque sites on the trail.
Battyeford Lock – Portage on the right, rejoin the river, (stay to the left of the wooden fence) if stopping off at either the Pear Tree pub or Pennine Canoe & Rowing Club, turn left and head up river 200 metres, or if continuing with the trail turn right and continue down river
Another mile down river you will reach the Ledgard Flood Lock on the left, on your right is the orange buoys keeping river traffic away from the Ledgard weir, this has recently been rebuilt and as yet I haven’t tried shooting it, again this will be explored later in the year and updates will be available.

Ledgard Flood Lock – Pass through the flood lock on the left onto the canal
Shepley Lock – Portage on the left, if you portage on the right you will have to cross the lock onto the left bank and walk under the Steanard Lane Bridge and rejoin the river
Rejoining the river at this point will take care as the jetty is high above the river; on the opposite side of the river is the Ship Inn, which has been flooded on a number of occasions in the last ten years as the river likes to take a shortcut via the carpark when it gets high enough.