Afon Hilnant

Nearby Rivers: Dee/Dyfrdwy - Lake Bala to Llangollen

The Hilnant is a vicious little stream running downhill to join the upper Dee. There are one or two drops that are worth doing but the river is fraught with tree dangers. However, the lower section does actually give very good alternative access to the upper Dee.

Tyn y Cwm to Garth Goch

4 km IV; various portages, one V

The B4319 crosses the river at Pont Ceunant where, just west of this, it is possible to head upstream to a small place called Rhos y Gwaliau. If you cross the river here and carry on for a further two kilometres, a convenient access place is found at a small parking area GR956335. The water starts off at a good grade II to III but, almost immediately, there is a fence just below that requires portaging. However, there are some reasonable little drops towards the next village.

Below this the rapids steepen and become class IV, but are very dangerous because of the number of trees - two required portaging. The road bridge is reached but the narrow drop below had a tree firmly jammed in the shoot at time of writing. Just around the corner is a good class V drop that proves a challenging run. All that remains is a broken railway bridge and a few small weirs, before the Dee is reached. A little path allows access and egress from this point and, indeed, you may wish to start a run on the upper Dee from here.