The Best Places to Go Packrafting in the UK (and How to Do It Safely)
Imagine hiking up from a valley, inflating a boat that was folded in your rucksack, and floating out across a mountain-fringed lake. That is the appeal of packrafting: lightweight, go-anywhere inflatable boats that turn lakes, rivers and sea lochs into part of your adventure rather than something you have to walk around.
The UK has plenty of places to try it, from gentle lake paddles to serious wilderness journeys. But access rules differ a lot between nations, some rivers are for experienced paddlers only, and not every location suits every paddler. This guide covers five great options, who each suits best, and what to know before you go.
What is packrafting?
A packraft is a small, tough inflatable boat that packs down to roughly the size of a sleeping bag and weighs far less than a kayak or canoe. You paddle it sitting upright with a single, double-ended paddle. Because it is so portable, you can combine paddling with walking, cycling or train travel and reach waters that are awkward to get a rigid boat to.
That versatility is also why it is a brilliant first step into paddling. If you are curious, our packraft hire range is delivered to your door anywhere in the UK, so you can try it before committing to buy.
Before you go: access, permissions and licences
The UK does not have one set of rules.
Scotland has statutory access rights to most land and inland water under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, as long as you act responsibly. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code explains what that means in practice, such as avoiding spillways and water intakes, not disturbing wildlife and giving anglers space.
England and Wales are different. There is no general public right to paddle rivers, and much of the water is privately owned. Access is available on some stretches through a public right of navigation or negotiated agreements, and many waterways need a licence. The simplest route for most paddlers is a Paddle UK membership (formerly British Canoeing) in England, or Canoe Wales membership in Wales, both of which include a waterways licence covering around 4,500km of managed water in England and Wales. The Go Paddling site explains which waters it covers.
Packrafts are generally treated like other small paddlecraft, but rules can vary by water, so always check locally before you launch.
1. Derwentwater and Borrowdale, Lake District
Best for: First-timers, families with older children, scenery lovers
Type: Lake paddle, with gentle rivers nearby
Difficulty: Easy on the lake in calm conditions; rivers vary and are best done with a guide
Derwentwater is a natural packrafting playground. It sits beneath Catbells and Skiddaw, and the Borrowdale valley feeds into it. It is also one of the Lake District's four navigable lakes (alongside Windermere, Coniston Water and Ullswater), and the Lake District National Park Authority lists canoes, kayaks and paddleboards among the permitted activities there. Landing on the islands is not allowed, and some other lakes need permits (Bassenthwaite is one), so check the National Park's guidance for the lake you have in mind.
Keswick is the natural base. Pair a morning paddle with an afternoon hike up Catbells and you have a classic Lakeland day: lake below, fells above.
The Lake District's rivers can be a thrilling step up, but levels change quickly and access rules differ from stretch to stretch. That is where local knowledge pays off. Lake District Pack Rafting, based in Keswick, runs guided sessions for all abilities, including half-day river and lake introductions with all equipment provided, full-day river trips, mountain tarn expeditions and an overnight river journey. If you are new to moving water, booking one of their guided trips first is a smart way to learn the skills and see the best spots safely.
2. River Wye, Wales and England
Best for: Relaxed multi-day journeys, confident beginners with some paddling experience
Type: River touring, day trips or overnight
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; mostly gentle flow with occasional small rapids
The Wye winds for around 250km from mid Wales to the Severn Estuary at Chepstow, passing Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth. Its wooded gorges and quiet meadows make it one of the UK's most popular touring rivers.
It is also one of the few English and Welsh rivers with a clear legal framework. Between Hay-on-Wye and Bigsweir Bridge there is a statutory public right of navigation, managed by the Environment Agency, and the GOV.UK Wye guidance confirms legal access between Hay and Chepstow. Upstream of Hay Bridge there is no confirmed right of navigation, and the right to navigate does not give you a right to use the riverbank, so stick to recognised access points and respect landowners and anglers.
Some practical points:
● Pick a day stage. Clubs run stretches such as Hoarwithy to Ross and Lower Lydbrook to Monmouth, which make good day trips or overnight stages.
● Know your limits. The lower Wye is tidal and the Severn Estuary beyond Chepstow is extremely dangerous. Do not paddle below Chepstow, and take care in the tidal stretch below Bigsweir.
● Respect the wildlife. Much of the river is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so follow the Code of Conduct.
● Watch the levels. The Wye can rise quickly after heavy rain.
The Wye Paddle Guide, produced by the Environment Agency and British Canoeing, is a great planning resource.
3. Argyll and the Isles, Scotland
Best for: Adventurous paddlers with sea-loch and tidal experience
Type: Multi-day, rail-linked coastal and loch journey
Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced; tides and exposed crossings
Scotland's west coast is packrafting at its most dramatic: sea lochs, mountains, islands, and legal freedom to paddle responsibly under Scotland's access rights. Wild About Argyll promotes a two-day route from Taynuilt station to Appin, then on to the Isle of Lismore and Oban, and notes that rail links make the area accessible from Glasgow without needing a car.
Treat this as a proper expedition, not a casual float. Some of Argyll's lochs and rivers are tidal, so you need to read tide tables and weather forecasts, and sea crossings can be exposed. Loch Awe, Scotland's longest freshwater loch, offers a quieter and more sheltered alternative for those who want remote scenery without the tidal complexity.
4. The Great Glen, Scottish Highlands
Best for: Experienced paddlers who want a big multi-day challenge
Type: 60-mile lochs and canal journey from Fort William to Inverness
Difficulty: Advanced because of exposed, open water
The Great Glen Canoe Trail links Lochs Lochy, Oich and Ness via the Caledonian Canal and takes about five days. It is a tempting idea for packrafters, and some have done it. But the official trail promotes itself as a canoe journey, and one packrafter who completed it reported that Loch Ness was the major worry, with strong winds, big boats and long open stretches.
A packraft is slower and more exposed to wind than a canoe, so this suits experienced, well-prepared paddlers only, and the Caledonian Canal has its own rules, including no access rights through locks.
5. River Dart, Dartmoor
Best for: Experienced whitewater paddlers only
Type: Seasonal river trip
Difficulty: Advanced
The Dart is one of England's best white-water rivers, which is exactly why we are including it with a firm warning. The Dartmoor National Park Authority says riparian owners welcome canoeists below Dartmeet from 1 October to 31 March to protect the wildlife-rich Dart Valley, and asks paddlers not to go above Dartmeet at any time. It’s important to check the current guidance before you go. Use only the permitted access and egress points: Dartmeet, Newbridge, Holne Weir and the Dartbridge café.
The Authority also warns that the river can rise very fast after rain and is only suitable for experienced canoeists. If you are new to packrafting, this is a river to admire, or to visit later with proper training and a guide.
Safety: the essentials for every trip
Whichever location you choose, build these habits in from day one:
● Wear a buoyancy aid every time. Ours are available as an add-on, including a buoyancy aid, and even a dog buoyancy aid if your four-legged friend is coming.
● Check river levels and the forecast. Use the Environment Agency river levels service in England and SEPA's water levels in Scotland. Rivers can rise fast after rain, and what was easy on Monday can be dangerous on Tuesday.
● Respect cold water. UK water stays cold for much of the year. Cold water shock is a real danger, so dress for immersion, not just for the air temperature, and read the RNLI's Float to Live advice.
● Avoid weirs, strainers and low branches. Fallen trees in fast water are among the biggest hazards in river paddling.
● Never go alone. Tell someone your route and expected return, and carry a phone in a waterproof pouch.
● Match the water to your skill. Start on lakes and flat rivers, then build up. Paddling an unfamiliar stretch of moving water with a guide or an experienced friend is far better than learning through mistakes.
● Consider training. A short course teaches rescue skills and how to read water, which could one day be the difference between a good story and a serious incident.
Choosing and hiring your packraft
Our packraft hire collection includes MRS packrafts, in partnership with Paqualife. Options include the MRS Ponto Solo for solo paddlers, the MRS Barracuda Tandem for two, and the MRS Microraft with spray deck and internal storage. If you want everything in one go, the Solo Packraft Hire Bundle saves you piecing it together.
A few extras make a big difference: a packrafting backpack for carrying the raft between waters, a 75L dry bag to keep gear dry, and an electric pump to save your lungs. Heading out overnight? Our tent hire and a first aid kit are worth adding.
Not sure which raft suits your trip? Tell our team where you are heading and they will help you choose. You can also browse the wider paddle range, including SUP hire.
Ready to get on the water?
The UK's best packrafting is rarely about conquering the wildest water. It is about picking somewhere that matches your skills, respecting access and conditions, and enjoying a different view of the landscape. Start somewhere gentle like Derwentwater, build your confidence, and the Wye, Argyll and beyond will be waiting.
When you are ready, hire a packraft from Adventure Kit Hire and we will deliver it to your door.
