WHITE WATER
There are hundreds of white water rivers in Wales, ranging from moderate Grade 2 to extreme Grade 6 – as well as an artificial white water centre in Cardiff (South Wales) and the National White Water Centre on the Tryweryn near Bala in North Wales.
However, it's important to be aware that there are differences of opinion on the legal right to paddle some parts of these rivers. We've provided as much information as we can to help you make an informed decision about where and when to paddle.
You may also want to check out the following external sites for more tips on where to paddle in Wales - though we cannot accept responsibility for any of the information on these sites:
DISCLAIMER: We do our best to keep this information up-to-date, but we cannot promise that it is still true on the day you read it, You are advised to check locally before paddling. Paddle Cymru takes no responsibility for the information provided - and your decision to paddle is always your own.
We include on this page information relating to touring rivers in Wales that we believe will be useful to help paddlers make an informed decision on whether to paddle, but this information should not be taken as advice to trespass nor does the existence of information on this website confer any rights.
North Wales
River Ceiriog
Natural Resources Wales has informed us of a temporary fish trap that they operate between March and June on the River Ceiriog at Chirk. Its operation (between dusk and dawn) is notified by warning signs and lights and when not in use it should not pose a hazard to canoeists. For details click here.
River Dee
Llantysilio (Horseshoe Falls) access point: the tenant of the field has politely requested that paddlers carry their boats down the hill to the river, rather than dragging or tobogganing, to avoid destroying the grass which he rents for grazing. This is the least we can do to continue to earn our welcome on this precious river - so please spread the word!
The Welsh Dee from Glyndyfrdwy Bridge to Trevor is covered by an Access Arrangement. Paddle Cymru does not endorse this arrangement since it does not meet our criteria for ‘appropriate management measures for shared use of waterways’. Nevertheless, this arrangement has been put in place with the support of landowners to enable commercial operators to use the river with confidence – so paddlers should be wary of behaving in ways that could jeopardise the arrangements. Paddle Cymru is liaising with the Welsh Dee Partnership to seek alternative arrangements that better suit recreational paddlers.
River Glaslyn
The Glaslyn from Llyn Gwynant to Pont Aberglaslyn is covered by an Access Arrangement which includes restrictions on river levels; and on access to the Aberglaslyn gorge during the fishing season. Paddle Cymru does not endorse this arrangement since it does not meet our criteria for ‘appropriate management measures for shared use of waterways’. Nevertheless, this arrangement has been put in place by the landowners to enable both paddlers and anglers to use the river with confidence – so paddlers should be wary of behaving in ways that could jeopardise this. Paddle Cymru is seeking to liaise with the National Trust to review this arrangement.
Southeast Wales
River Usk
The River Usk from Sennybridge to Crickhowell is covered by an Access Arrangement. Paddle Cymru does not endorse this arrangement since it does not meet our criteria for ‘appropriate management measures for shared use of waterways’. Nevertheless, this arrangement has been put in place with the support of landowners to enable commercial operators to use the river with confidence – so paddlers should be wary of behaving in ways that could jeopardise the arrangements. Paddle Cymru is liaising with the Wye & Usk Foundation to seek alternative arrangements that better suit recreational paddlers.
River Wye
The River Wye upstream of Glasbury is covered by an Access Arrangement. Paddle Cymru does not endorse this arrangement since it does not meet our criteria for ‘appropriate management measures for shared use of waterways’. Nevertheless, this arrangement has been put in place with the support of landowners to enable commercial operators to use the river with confidence – so paddlers should be wary of behaving in ways that could jeopardise the arrangements. Paddle Cymru is liaising with the Wye & Usk Foundation to seek alternative arrangements that better suit recreational paddlers.
THE LEGAL SITUATION
With the exception of a few rivers where there is a Statutory Public Right of Navigation (the Lugg downstream of Presteigne, the Severn downstream of Pool Quay and the Wye downstream of Hay-on-Wye), there is no confirmed Public Right of Navigation on other physically-navigable, non-tidal rivers in Wales.
It has long been assumed by some that rights of navigation on these rivers are private (and generally controlled by riparian owners – i.e. the owners of the river banks). However, some published research now challenges this assumption. Paddle Cymru therefore acknowledges that there are different opinions on the legal position on rivers where public rights have not been confirmed and cannot advise paddlers whether they have a right to paddle on such rivers.
In addition, any public or private rights of navigation on rivers do not in themselves grant paddlers any rights to cross land to access those rivers, so paddlers should seek permission to paddle or cross land wherever or whenever it is clear and unambiguous in law that you do not have the right to do so.
