Afon Aled

Nearby Rivers: Betws y Coed and Colwyn Bay

The Aled is a pleasant enough little river running, as it does, northwards to join the Elwy downstream of Llanfair Talhaiarn. It runs out of Aled Isaf Reservoir and really needs to be spilling over the dam to be worth doing. It has an upper eight kilometres above the section described, that begins with a tumble over the mighty Rhaeadr y Bedd. Below this, it runs through an impressive gorge which, I think, contains class IV and V drops at the very least, but I know little more about this section.

Llansannan to Elwy confluence

8 km class II+ to III; few weirs

Llansannan is situated about 15 kilometres inland from Abergele, and can be reached via the A548 and A544 roads. The latter crosses the river in town, where access can be made from the public footpath GR936658.

The river needs to be clearly up to be worth paddling and, for the first two kilometres or so, runs at a gentle grade II+. There is then a series of half a dozen or so three-foot weir steps, which have clearly been placed to create fishing pools. These are really good fun to bounce through. The first village, Bryn Rhyd-yr-Arian, is passed and then, about a kilometre later, is a more formal weir. This should be obvious from the river because of concreted sides, weir buildings and a gauge on the left bank (reads 8 to 9 on bottom scale at good levels). At time of paddling, early ’98, there was a tree in the central salmon ladder, but an easy portage on the left.

Just above the next bridge is the hardest fall on the river - a good class III that may need a quick look before descent. The rest of the river to the egress is pleasant but easy, with no trees requiring portaging at time of paddling. It is possible to pull out below the little wave under the next bridge, where there is a stile and a public footpath GR953717. Alternatively, for a longer trip, continue down the excellent Elwy.