Afon Eden

Access Officer: Andy Hall, Shropshire Centre, Arthog, Dolgellau LL39 1BX - 01341 250455

Nearby Rivers: Barmouth Area

Map:	124 Dolgellau & Surrounding Area
Grade:	III to IV-
Length:	8 km
Access:	A470(T)
Notes:	Small weirs, few fences on upper section
Quality:

The Eden is a superb run. The river needs to be in a medium or higher spate to be worth doing but, when like this, gives a great middle-grade run. It is in places very continuous and, therefore serious, if an unforeseen tree blocked the river. As the Eden runs deeply through Coed y Brenin this is worth bearing in mind. It can easily be combined with the lower Mawddach.

Pont y Grible to Pont ar Eden

8 km III to IV-

Driving north through Coed y Brenin a small left turn can be made off the main road a little way before the village of Bronaber. This leads to Pont y Grible where access can be made to the Eden GR708305. The river needs to be in a good spate to make it worthwhile.

Easy rapids, apart from a few low stock fences, carry the excited paddler past two small bridges. The Afon Crawcwellt enters from the right (this has a few interesting little numbers upstream, as it parallels the Gamlan!) swelling the flood. The river creeps up the grade, with some excellent class III and IV rapids to be tackled on the way down to the Coed y Brenin visitor centre. This is an excellent alternative access point; out of the sight of any disapproving eyes from the main road! Alternatively, if the river is low, get out the mountain bike and go and try the fabulous "Red Bull route" up in the forest. Above and below the main A470, excellent class III rapids continue on their helter-skelter towards the Mawddach.

The trees close in and the Eden starts to cut a deeper bed. Soon, the river narrows and the paddler finds himself in a small rocky gorge. This is absolutely lip-smacking for those new to this type of paddling. On a trip some years ago I remember three of us snatching eddies above a fallen tree - totally blocking the river: something to be borne in mind, depending upon the amount of damage done by winter storms!

The river is a good class IV- in flood, with a couple of steep rapids just before the get-out at Pont ar Eden GR726249. Alternatively boat the small weir on the Eden, join the Mawddach and get out to inspect the much more fearsome weir downstream!