Afon Caseg

Nearby Rivers: Bangor, Caernarfon and Area

Map:	115 Snowdon and Surrounding Area
Grade:	IV (V)
Length:	3 km
Access:	Via footpath from Gerlan Bethesda
Notes:	One fall class V plus certain falls / fences requiring portages
Quality:

A good river for those who enjoy the excitement of walking in with their boats. It needs to be raining to make the trip worthwhile: according to Phil Blain this makes the walk just that little bit more special.

Anecdote: NEVER GIVE A SUCKER...

Afon Wen confluence to upper Gerlan bridge

3 km class IV to V; portages

Using an OS map, find the small bridge above Gerlan at GR636662 and leave a car for the get-out. By back-tracking downhill and taking the first right a small road can be followed to the start of the walk-in. By following the footpath that roughly parallels the river it is possible get on after some two to three kilometres of walking. The water runs at about grade III as the spate hurries to reach the Ogwen. After one and a half to two kilometres. trees begin to close in and you will want to be very careful of any low branches or fallers which lurk menacingly in the river. The grade is now a continuous IV with wooded danger. A few portages may be necessary. Just before the bridge is a class V drop into a big stopper. Get out river right. Below the bridge the confluence of the Llafar adds new power to the steepening river on its way down to the Ogwen. This has been run by a few hair boaters at around class V (continuous with significant danger). Phil suggests portaging the first gorge below where I finished and continuing on to the Ogwen: "excellent with some big stoppers" is how he describes it.