Paddleboarding spots in Greater Manchester
15 launch spots across Greater Manchester
Every mapped spot in Greater Manchester
Zoom in to split a cluster; open a pin for the spotMap of every spot in Greater Manchester
The interactive map opens on any device with JavaScript. The full list of launch spots is below.
Launch spots
Showing 15 of 15
CanalTrafford Rowing Club
Greater Manchester, EnglandTrafford Rowing Club's slipway opens onto the Bridgewater Canal at Walton Park Sports Centre in Sale, the club's home water since it relocated from Dane Road. All craft on the canal, including paddleboards, need a Bridgewater Canal licence or an equivalent, and a British Canoeing licence covers canoes, kayaks and SUPs for passage on the canal free of charge.
CanalSalford Quays put-in (Central Bay)
Greater Manchester, EnglandThis slipway opens onto Central Bay, one of the redeveloped dock basins at Salford Quays. Salford City Council owns some of the Quays' waterways while Peel and other private owners hold the rest, and organised paddling here runs through providers such as Salford Watersports Centre.
CanalSalford Quays put-in (Ontario Basin)
Greater Manchester, EnglandThis slipway opens onto Ontario Basin, the eastern section of the former Dock 8 within the redeveloped Salford Quays. Salford City Council owns some of the Quays' waterways while Peel and other private owners hold the rest, and organised paddling and open-water swimming here run through providers such as Salford Watersports Centre.
LakeDovestone Reservoir slipway (Greenfield)
Greater Manchester, EnglandA slipway on Dovestone Reservoir, a United Utilities compensation reservoir on Saddleworth Moor above Greenfield, on the western edge of the Peak District National Park. Dovestone Sailing Club states it has sole use of the roughly 100-acre reservoir, so independent launching may be restricted; the reserve's car parks and paths were closed for public safety during a moorland fire from 11 July 2026, with no reopening date confirmed at time of writing.
LakeDovestone Reservoir slipway, Wilderness car park (Greenfield)
Greater Manchester, EnglandA second, separate slipway on Dovestone Reservoir a short distance from the reservoir's Wilderness car park area near Greenfield. As with the reservoir's other slipway, Dovestone Sailing Club states it has sole use of the water, and the site's car parks and paths were closed for a moorland fire from 11 July 2026 with no confirmed reopening date.
CanalWool Road slipway (Uppermill)
Greater Manchester, EnglandA concrete slipway onto the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Wool Road in Uppermill, close to the foot of the Diggle flight and the western portal of Standedge Tunnel. The Canal and River Trust requires a waterways licence for unpowered craft on this canal, and the licence does not extend to nearby reservoirs.
LakeChorlton Water Park slipway (west)
Greater Manchester, EnglandThis slipway sits on the western shore of Chorlton Water Park, a lake landscaped from a former sand and gravel quarry in Chorlton-cum-Hardy. Swimming in the lake is banned and enforced by on-site security, and organised paddling runs through the on-site operator, Peak Pursuits, on weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.
LakeChorlton Water Park slipway (east)
Greater Manchester, EnglandThis slipway sits on the eastern shore of Chorlton Water Park, a lake landscaped from a former sand and gravel quarry in Chorlton-cum-Hardy. Swimming in the lake is banned and enforced by on-site security, and organised paddling runs through the on-site operator, Peak Pursuits, on weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.
RiverNorthenden put-in (Manchester)
Greater Manchester, EnglandThis put-in sits on the River Mersey at Northenden, just below Northenden Weir, on the Stockport-to-Carrington stretch that a voluntary access agreement opened to canoeists. The weir drops about 8 feet on a sloping face, and portage steps run down the right bank just below the footbridge to bypass it.
RiverHigh Lane put-in (Stockport)
Greater Manchester, EnglandA slipway beside a small river near High Lane, Stockport. Its specific name could not be confirmed from available sources, and the Macclesfield Canal's High Lane Arm, home to the North Cheshire Cruising Club, also passes through the village nearby.
LakeDebdale Park slipway (Gorton)
Greater Manchester, EnglandA slipway on the Gorton reservoirs in Debdale Park, Gorton, built in the 1820s as Manchester compensation reservoirs and now owned by United Utilities. The neighbouring Debdale Outdoor Centre runs canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing and windsurfing sessions on the water.
RiverEdgeley put-in (Stockport)
Greater Manchester, EnglandThis slipway opens onto the River Mersey at Edgeley, part of the Stockport-to-Carrington stretch that a voluntary access agreement opened to canoeists.
RiverEdgeley put-in (Stockport)
Greater Manchester, EnglandThis slipway opens onto the River Mersey at Edgeley, part of the Stockport-to-Carrington stretch that a voluntary access agreement opened to canoeists. It sits within about 150 metres of two other harvested portage points on the same bank.
RiverCheadle Heath put-in (Stockport)
Greater Manchester, EnglandThis canoe put-in sits on the River Mersey at Cheadle Heath, on the stretch between Stockport and Carrington that a voluntary access agreement opened to canoeists. Steps lead down to the water, and the Mersey here is formed a short way upstream by the confluence of the Rivers Goyt and Tame.
RiverAshton upon Mersey put-in (Trafford)
Greater Manchester, EnglandThis canoe put-in sits on the River Mersey at Ashton-upon-Mersey, part of the Stockport-to-Carrington stretch that a voluntary access agreement opened to canoeists.
Save your own spots
Keep the places you launch, check the wind and shelter before you go, and log every paddle. Add a spot to the directory too, and other paddlers will find it. Free to start.
Some launch spots in this directory are seeded from open data. © OpenStreetMap contributors · Open Database Licence (ODbL)