Afon Ceirw:
Nearby Rivers: Dee/Dyfrdwy - Lake Bala to Llangollen
| Map: |
116 Denbigh & Colwyn Bay Area 125 Bala & Lake Vyrnwy |
| Grade: | II to III; one long section VI |
| Length: | 8 km |
| Access: | off A5 north of Corwen |
| Notes: | the VI is portaged by most |
| Quality: |  |
The Ceirw is a surprisingly good, intermediate river so long as care is taken with the portage. Reminiscent of the easy middle Llugwy, the bottom section is excellent value. The hard V+ to VI gorge has had a few runs but not by me. In full spate it is an awesome spectacle.
Ystrad Bach Bridge to Maerdy
8 km class II to III; one portage
Start the run at Ystrad Bach bridge GR975455. This is two bridges down from the B4501 Bala road. From here down the water is flat but fast, with very well defined eddies, which are perfect for practising break-outs etc. The first stone bridge had a strand of barbed wire strung from it but this was easily sneaked. It is wise to inspect the class VI before paddling - from the road to Gaer-gerrig and the old A5. Walking down this new footpath, it is hard to imagine that the A5 main road actually ran along here. The best way to portage is to egress the river 200 metres before the cataract and climb up onto the old road. This allows a ten-minute, easy wander along here and down a well-marked footpath to the river well below the falls.
Take time to look at the considerable class V+ to VI drops which have now seen a few descents. Along the old road note the plaque to George Borrow who thought this "the wildest place in Wales" - not far from the truth!
Back on the river, it is possible to paddle the final stiff class IV or get onto class II to III water. The rapids from here down are superb, with some brilliant small stoppers and surf waves - excellent at the grade. A couple of broken weirs are found just before good egress river left at a small stone bridge, which is found down the little lane opposite the sign to Betws Garmon GR016446. 100 metres below is a weir that can be run at medium to high levels, which allows continuation down and onto the Alwen. I don’t think any more nasties occur on the section below the weir, but I have not paddled the final 800 metres to the confluence.