Afon Gain

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

Nearby Rivers: Barmouth Area

Map:	124 Dolgellau & Surrounding Area
Grade:	IV+ to V
Length:	6 km
Access:	Off A470(T)
Notes:	One definite portage - other portages at high levels V+ to VI falls
Quality:

Rising as it does in the hills high above Coed y Brenin, the Gain twists and tumbles over numerous drops and rapids, on its way to fill the Afon Mawddach. It is a brilliant white water river with some significant drops to negotiate. According to Phil Blain the purist will want to go higher and navigate down the peat ditches. He claims an ethereal experience with the added bonus of frightening unsuspecting walkers when the mists are down.

Cattle grid to Pistyll y Cain

6 km grade IV+ to V; one definite portage plus class V+ falls

Turning eastwards off the A470 in Bronaber, and heading past the dry ski slope road and the old firing ranges, it is possible to access the river at the bridge found at GR734312.

The river needs to be in a good medium spate but if over the banks at the get-in, it may best be left till another day. From here until just before the next bridge, Pont y Llyn Du, the river is flat which allows a warm up for the class III series of drops leading under the ancient bridge.

From here on down good rapids and falls lead on for a kilometre or so until an obvious steepening is reached. It is wise to inspect this first class V - a 50 metre run-in to a sharp fall between large boulders. From here on down the river rushes and tumbles through beautiful small gorges. There are various class IV+ and the odd class V drops that you may wish to have a good look at. One, where a hard push left misses a large boulder, particularly springs to mind. In 1998 (early) the old foot bridge shown on the map had been washed away. At the first bridge, a stone archway, great care is needed and it is imperative to inspect the falls under this and especially the ones just out of sight around the corner. In high water, these look a major class V+ to VI triple affair - but when lower are more manageable (V). At high water most, if not all, will portage. Below this is an enclosed gorge, with four or so major class V drops. This carries on for about 200 metres or so, but, and it is a very big, but continual inspection and cover is needed, as tagged on just below a particularly severe fall GR733276 is Pistyll y Cain, an awesome fall. Rumours abound that even the mighty Cain has been paddled - but surely not when the rest of the river is going - a definite portage. The rumours don’t clarify who the paddler was!

In big flood a good alternative is to portage the whole of this short bottom gorge along the forest track on the right bank. Below this, it is easy enough to launch on the lower two gorges of the upper Mawddach - a brilliant run in its own right.