Walking alongside water is always interesting. On the River Hull you will see barges and many pleasure craft sailing its tidal waters. The Leven Canal is no longer used except by the odd small boat, but over the years it has become a rich wildlife habitat with some unusual aquatic plants.
The canal is now so good for wildlife that it is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The River Hull has its source on the Yorkshire Wolds at Emswell and is the main drainage channel for Holderness, ie most of North Humberside east of the Yorkshire Wolds. At Tophill Low, near Walton, there is a large 'abstraction works' which takes 15 million gallons of water a day from the river. After treatment, the water provides almost 40% of the requirements for the Yorkshire Water's Eastern area. The average flow at Hempholme is more than 76 million gallons a day!
The route starts at Stoneferry bridge, Clough Road, Hull. From the bridge follow the west bank of the River Hull to Sutton Road, and then the east bank to the small hamlet of Weel. Cross the bridge north of Weel and then follow the west bank of the Barmston Drain to a bridge, then the west bank to Hull Bridge. The east bank of the River Hull is followed northwards to the Leven Canal, and the north bank of the canal is then followed to Leven. Turn south and then left along a track to a bridge. Various field headlands are then followed eastwards to Sigglesthorne via Catwick. A short section of road is then used before you get to the delightful woodland paths through the Wassand Estate. Finally follow the path along the southern side of Hornsea Mere to Hornsea itself.
One note of caution: If you walk from Hull to Hornsea in winter, check the times of the last bus back from Hornsea before you start. It tends to leave fairly early, and several people have had problems getting back! If you are stuck, you could always walk back along the disused rail line; it's only 13 miles!