Canoe Wales - Canw Cymru

Access Officer: Vacant - Contact National Access Development Officer
Ashley Charlwood
c/o Canolfan Tryweryn, Frongoch, Bala LL2 3 7NU
Tel. 01341 422692 Mobile 07817 761125 Email: Cwmbychan@aol.com

Map:	125 Bala & Lake Vyrnwy 117 Chester & Wrexham
Grade:	Sections of I and II, and III to IV
Length:	Various sections; total more than 140 km
Access:	Various, including off the A5 and A483
Notes:	Few weirs - prudent portages at high flows.
Quality:	sections of , and

The Afon Dyfrdwy or "The Dee", as it is better known to most, is one of the all-time classics of Welsh paddling. The Dee rises from below some impressive crags in the hills south west of Bala, after which it flows for about ten kilometres before entering Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid). The canoeing sections start from below the lake and continue on a winding course through Wales before entering England a little way above Chester - a distance of some 140 kilometres.

The Dee is always paddleable - that is, it always has enough water in to paddle - if only the access situation were similar! It is a fine salmon river and is jealously (or should it be ‘zealously’) guarded, with access to the well-known sections only being allowed two or three weekends a year.

For many years, when the Mike Jones Rally was held here, thousands of canoeists would descend on the sleepy town of Llangollen in order to try their luck with the waves and stoppers of the famous Serpent’s Tail, Tombstones and Town Falls, to name a few. Now the Jones has temporarily retired the WCA weekend is, perhaps, the next most popular.

Most canoeists have stuck to these open weekends - myself included. It seemed tradition that the Dee was open but a few days a year. Morally, of course, this is a wholly different matter. The lower sections seem far less problematic and I have met only with friendliness when steering my Canadian along these more placid stretches.

It is possible (good access) to put on at the bridge where the Dee flows out of Llyn Tegid, but I have not done these first few kilometres and it is just the type of section where an unpleasant weir could lurk - beware. Where the B4391 crosses the little Hilnant river it is possible to park, and then walk downstream past the class V falls that are about 200 metres below the bridge and put in at GR950357. There are just a few, easily shot, small weirs between here and the Dee confluence. It takes about 5 minutes to walk down the pleasant footpath (right hand bank) - the most important thing, of course, is to make 100% sure you get on below the class V.

Once on the Dee, the river carves a fast, but flat, path through beautiful rustic countryside. There is one class II step found by a big house about halfway down to the next bridge. Egress is onto the left hand bank (public footpath) just below Llandderfel bridge GR982366.

Access as above at Llandderfel bridge. This is reached by turning off the A494 Corwen to Bala road in the hamlet of Bethel and following the B4402 to the bridge. If the river is over its banks and hence flowing through the trees lining the side, then it is not really suitable for beginners or families, but at normal levels or even summer lows it is a beautiful touring stretch.

Just before the Ceidiog enters from the river right is a house at Cilan. This is "Goose city", - due to the number of birds that live there. The dismantled railway bridge in the middle of the river has a few old stanchions remaining that deserve respect in low conditions.

Otherwise, enjoy the river and egress at the bridge below the A5 bridge in Corwen GR082439.

Access can be had at the small bridge in Corwen GR082439 for four kilometres of fast but flat water down to the Carrog Bridge GR115437. The latter is a more usual starting point, especially during the Open Days. To reach this, turn off the A5 in the small village of Llidiart y Parc.

This is a lovely touring section of river through a rich and shaded valley. When the leaves are turning myriad shades of golden brown, then this must be one of the most idyllic places to float along. In high water, the river booms along, washing out many of the shingle-type rapids which are found on this stretch. Some way down here is a small diagonal weir step, which is ideal for playing in, and is best at low to medium flows. Further down, at high spate in particular, the rapids approaching Berwen are bouncy at the grade.

At the bottom of the trip, around a lazy sweeping right hand bend, are the Horseshoe Falls. The water is suddenly slowed from its natural flow, warning as to what is causing the rumble that can increasingly be heard. Egress well above this weir, on the left GR196433.

This is the ‘classic’ section of wild water Dee. Steeped in tradition, linked with Dr Mike Jones and other famous paddlers, this is the provider of many people’s canoeing adventures. It is here that many paddlers have had their first taste of paddling and, indeed, swimming grade III (and above) rapids.

Park in the Chainbridge car park - well signposted on ‘match days’. From here it is easy to walk by, or float along, the feeder canal to the Horseshoe Falls. In anything higher than low water this weir is exceptionally dangerous through the main drop. It can, however, be easily shot far left, thus avoiding the vicious weir towback. Under a bridge and the water begins to pick up through waves and holes. Warm, dry spectators in the Chainbridge Hotel smile at the sport below.

Next comes the famous Serpent’s Tail rapid, graded III to IV. In low water, spectators crowd the left bank and cheer those with, and without, boats as they descend the tail. In high water, this is covered with good stoppers and the main route is big and bouncy until through the final stopper. In years gone by a few brave hearts would test the stopper at the bottom of the Tail. It is a mark of a new generation of boaters that all kinds of acrobatics are now performed with regularity.

The Tail carries on downriver in a flat and meandering fashion where boats and bodies are usually reunited. Next comes a broken weir followed by a railway bridge. Another weir which is easily shot follows next.

Next, comes the Nomads’ slalom site which runs along by Mile End Mill. Here, there is access to this short play section throughout the year. Bunkhouse accommodation is also available which is warm, economical and convenient. Report in to the canoe shop complex at Mile End Mill for access. The entrance rapid to the Nomads’ site is the Tombstones. This is a lot safer than it used to be as most of the old ‘tombstone stanchions’ have been removed (using funds raised from the rally). Unfortunately, in days gone by, a fatality occurred here before the stanchions were blown out. There is still some debris left in mid-channel and, as for any broken weir, this should be borne in mind.

Slalom at Town Falls: Baillie and Morrison

Below is a brilliant play stopper which just gets better and better as the water rises. The hardest move is getting into it alongside all the other boats! A sharp drop on the left with an excellent play wave is the last drop before the long run in to Town Falls.

In high flood this is quite an intimidating rapid, as you weave your way through a couple of weirs before the falls proper. The main shoot is on the right - the line is left for you to decide but always with that nagging thought of the unpleasant weir below in mind. In big water an exciting line through boat-sticking stoppers can be taken under the left arches.

Below the bridge, and visible from it with a sharp horizon line, is the infamous Town Weir. In high water, its middle and right hand side form a vicious swimmer-holding stopper, and this part is best avoided at all costs. Divers on the right hand bank perform an excellent job during most open days pulling the swamped refugees to shore. However, it’s best not to rely on this.

The weir is safely shot far left through an obvious shoot. The only trick is to reach it. Egress into the obvious car park left GR217421.

Many will end the run in Llangollen and head straight for the local pub but, below, is a pleasant section ending in the historic Trevor Rocks rapids. The water is fast but relatively flat until a few 100 metres above Trevor bridge. In big water, this produces a few good waves and stoppers but will seem tame after the rigours above. Egress by the footpath river left below the bridge GR268421. Before driving off, take time to look back upstream at the site of the first British Slalom competition.

A superb section, best done in normal water conditions (well below the flood), when it is great for Canadian canoes and suitably-led families.

Put on below the bridge at Trevor, in view of the impressive Froncysyllte aqueduct passing high overhead. During good weather, weekends and holidays, barges can be seen passing overhead at dizzy heights above. There are lots of grade I to II easy rapids along this beautiful section of water. Further on, an equally-impressive viaduct dwarfs the passing boater. Newbridge bridge is next, followed by the modern A483 road bridge (both very difficult and arduous access). The rapids continue, interspersed by beautiful flat sections. At a large bend in the river the Afon Ceiriog enters from the right but, at usual touring levels, this will look a rather sad affair. In high flows this is a good river in its own right. There are some very impressive houses in the valley along with the fishing rights. However, nearly all the fishermen and locals were extremely pleasant.

Towards the end of the trip, about 500 metres before Erbistock, is a small weir. This should be obvious from the river as it has a central block of concrete sticking out. If water is flowing only down the right hand shoot, then it is safe enough to shoot with speed. Any higher though, although small, it is worth being cautious and portaging left/right.

Moor alongside The Boat inn in Erbistock where one or two old rowing boats are usually found and wander up into this superb watering hole for a drink or so. In fact, you may wish to egress here where an excellent meal can be had (footpath just downstream of pub).

Continue on for one and a half kilometres to where the water slows through black meandering pools. This heralds the approach of a large, angled weir. There is a large old mill house on the left which gives warning. It is easy enough to shoot on the right down the angled rocky shoot but most will probably wish to portage. Again, in flood this is an extremely different proposal. 500 metres further on is the Cross Foxes pub and egress can be made from the footpath river left, downstream of the bridge GR354427.

From below Overton Bridge the river winds its way down through rich pasture land on its way seawards. This is a lovely touring section with just a few ripples to keep the paddler awake. Bangor racecourse is passed some way down. Egress below the old stone bridge onto the footpath river right in Bangor-is-y-Coed GR388455.

It is possible - after seeking permission - to park in the car park of the Royal Oak, found by the old stone bridge in Bangor-is-y-Coed. From here access can be made on to the pleasant touring section between here and Farndon. A little way down from here the Clywedog enters from the left (an "interesting" little adventure in its own right), after which the river goes into a huge series of winding turns. Where the Worthhenbury Brook enters from the right, the river becomes the border between England and Wales. Egress can be made above the ancient stone bridge in the village of Farndon GR412544

Farndon is found along the A534 Wrexham to Nantwich road. There is excellent access / egress at the Cheshire County Council picnic area by the ancient Roman bridge. There is ample car parking before the excellent Boat House restaurant. History is told here; etched in the sandstone rocks of the ancient Dee cliffs is evidence of ancient Dee floods.

The river is flat all the way and perfect for touring and families. It is paddleable all year round - with the proviso that it isn’t in big flood when newcomers could get caught out. The river is a ‘no-man’s land,’ forming a border for much of the way, and is fairly straight until a large bend when the Alun River enters from the left. Along here are numerous weekend shacks of all sizes and descriptions but - what the heck - not a bad place to spend your Saturday and Sunday.

The Pulford Brook enters sharply from the left and, a kilometre or so on, the Dee passes into England. But continue nevertheless as the river is still excellent.

Passing on some way, an early 19th century iron bridge is passed: a good place this, for photos. This is all part of the Eaton Hall estate and grounds. If you find it hard work here then it may be because on a big tide, the effects of the sea are felt, even this far up. Indeed, the Dee is one of the few rivers that experiences a bore but, don’t worry, no wave of water will come flying around the corner up here. Egress is possible at the small road on the left by the Eccleston village GR415622. The noise of the A55(T) is soon heard before the main road bridge is snuck under. About three kilometres further on egress is made into the car park river right along Sandy Lane, Chester. This is immediately downstream of the Chester Sailing and Canoe Club GR420656.

This river section is one of Wales’ major estuaries and is also a commercial waterway for the lower part. Mostyn Docks have navigation authority status for the lower section; the Environment Agency controls the rest.

The normal limit of the tide is Chester Weir, though a large tide will cover the weir and flow upstream as far as Farndon and Holt. The section above Queensferry is canalised and has been used for training and races. It is also home of the infamous Dee Bore – a more user friendly version of the Severn Bore.