Canoe Wales is the national governing body for paddle sport in Wales. We:

  • Manage the National White Water Centre which is located on the river Tryweryn in Bala, North Wales
  • Represent the interests of our club and individual members
  • Advocate on behalf of the interests of the sport in Wales
  • Provide coaching and development programmes from local to international level
  • Stage national and international competitions.

Afon Seiont / Rhythallt

Nearby Rivers: Bangor, Caernarfon and Area

Map: 115 Snowdon and Surrounding Area
Grade: III; one fall IV
Length: 13 km
Access: A4086 Caernarfon to Llanberis road
Notes: No portages, but one fall IV, plus weirs, plus possible anti-canoeing fences!
Quality: 4 stars

Afon Seiont Afon Gwyrfai Afon Llynfi

The Seiont is a great paddling river but has seen its fair share of epics; most of them involving aggressive fishermen rather than rapids. Even in the very early ‘80s, the river was fraught with hassle. Often as the paddler was left on their own whilst the car shuttle occurred, they would be surrounded by three or four threatening figures objecting to their enjoying a hard-earned day out.

Stonings were more commonplace than in the Bible, and it seemed to matter little who the kayakers were. School children were equally fair game for some individuals. In 1987, the proverbial hit the fan when Ben Wright, a local paddler, was stoned and suffered serious facial injuries whilst assisting another paddler in distress. A mass rally / trespass was organised on the Seiont, by the Campaign for River Access for Canoes and Kayaks (CRACK). An enormous amount of publicity was raised, much in sympathy with the cause of paddlers. It is debatable as to the outcome regarding access to the Seiont but in the long term, surely, it must have raised awareness of problems facing people wishing to enjoy the country’s heritage. Personally, I am convinced that the day will come when the European Court of Human Rights will step out decisively on ‘rivers for all’. In any case, the Seiont is still a great river. In ‘97 there were still fences slung across the river, many from local authority-owned bridges! I would suggest taking along a pair of wire cutters. These are not stock fences but are deliberately placed to snaggle canoeists. I am not suggesting cutting fences but the wire cutters could save someone’s life. This might be a fisherman or even a child who accidentally falls into the river: there has not been a lot of thought behind placing these fences.

Pont Rhythallt pylons to Caernarfon

11 km grade III; one fall (IV); few weirs 4 stars

The river bed should be well covered at the get-in for the run to be worth doing. Historically, the old stone bridge at the mouth of Llyn Padarn GR559624 was a possible get on point but on no account should this be used! There has been a successful prosecution of a canoeist for disturbing salmon-spawning beds here and it is not sensible to repeat this, especially as there is a far better access point below the spawning area. About two kilometres below the lake is a turning into Pont Rhythallt, where there is a bridge across the river. Crossing from north to south there is a small road on the right immediately after the bridge which leads to some electricity pylons where access can be made GR550636. Soon Pont Rhythallt is reached and passed and, a little way on, the largest drop is reached (IV). Inspection allows the easiest line to be judged and for many this may be their first class IV. It sticks in my mind - as the first time I successfully rolled in anger. Easier water leads to the next bridge, after which there are a series of excellent steps with the odd small weir to negotiate. The occasional branch can cause problems so it pays to be vigilant.

Before the main road bridge the river picks up, featuring some continual class III rapids interspersed with weirs - a super section this. The water eases off with the odd rapid and a few weirs on the way into Caernarfon. Some of these weirs can become a bit sticky in high flows. Under the A487, round a corner, and suddenly the paddler finds him-/herself in Caernarfon Harbour. Get-out at GR476626. A great river: from below the slopes of Snowdon, to the ramparts of one of the great castles of Wales - and all this in one day.