Go Paddling / Where to paddle / Paddling trails

PADDLING TRAILS

Our new paddling trails, aimed at paddlers getting started or those wanting to access easy-grade journeys, showcase some of the best flat water and grade 1 paddling trips that Wales has to offer.


Downloadable as PDFs, these trails have has all the information needed to organise a trip and have a great time on the water, including:


  • Start/finish locations, distances and portages
  • Full colour map featuring all the points of interest and facilities, such as parking, toilets, picnic sites and cafes
  • Tidal info, grade, weather-considerations and any permit requirements
  • Detailed description of the trip, including accessibility options (parking, toilets, distance to water, pontoons/slipways and bank/shore accessibility)
  • Downloadable GPX file for use with GPS units


The first six paddling trails are available to download now, with more to follow.


Photo of canoe on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (Llangollen Canal) thanks to © Ty Nant Outdoors

Paddling trails in Wales

Download our paddling trails as PDFs and get all the info you need to plan your next paddling adventure in Wales:

Chirk Aqueduct

Llangollen Canal: Horseshoe Falls to Chirk

Paddle the entire length of a World Heritage Site; through beautiful Welsh countryside and along (and over!) spectacular engineering. Llangollen Canal will carry you past castles, through tunnels and over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which rises 39m above the Dee Valley.


Start: Horseshoe Falls car park, Llantysilio LL20 8BN

Finish: Gledrid car park, Chirk LL14 5DL

Portages: 0 (1 swing bridge), 2 tunnels

Time: 2–5 hours

Distance: 11 miles (one-way)

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Photo of 2 people paddling a canoe in the Brecon Basin

Mon & Brec Canal: Brecon to Gilwern

The Monmouthshire and Brecon canal, or "Mon & Brec", is one of Britain’s prettiest canals. The canal meanders through the beautiful wooded Usk Valley, past cosy villages and industrial relics. This section is located within the Brecon Beacons National Park and has great mountain views.


Start: Brecon Basin LD3 7EW

Finish: Gilwern Wharf NP7 0EL

Portages: 9 (locks & liftbridges)

Time: 5.5–10 hours

Distance: 18.5 miles (one-way)

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Photo of paddler on a sit-on-top on the Mon & Brec canal

Mon & Brec Canal: Gilwern to Sebastopol

This section of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal winds through the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Blaenavon World Heritage Site, providing tranquil countryside and industrial heritage. With no portages, it’s a stress-free trip along a picturesque waterway.


Start: Gilwern Wharf NP7 0EL

Finish: South Sebastopol Moorings NP44 1FT

Portages: 0

Time: 4–8.5 hours

Distance: 16.5 miles (one-way)

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Mawddach Estuary

The Mawddach Estuary has to be one of the most beautiful estuaries in the UK. Surrounded by

mountains, it flows through spectacular countryside and is steeped in history. And, if you time it right, you’ll get tidal assistance all the way!


Start: The Promenade, Barmouth LL42 1NF

Finish: Penmaenpool Car Park LL40 1YD

Portages: 0

Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

Distance: 6.5 miles (one-way)



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Llandegfedd Lake

Llandegfedd is a reservoir set in the beautiful countryside of SE Wales. It’s perfect for water-based activities with a watersport centre, café and safety boat cover. Owned by Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) it is an SSSI and renowned for its diverse wildlife.


Start/Finish: Llandegfedd Reservoir NP4 0TA

Portages: 0

Time: 0.75 - 1.5 hours

Distance: 3 miles (circular)




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Photo of paddleboards on Bala Lake

Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake)

Llyn Tegid is the largest natural lake in Wales, set in the stunning mountain scenery of southern

Snowdonia. It is an important conservation area and is home to a wealth of wildlife and plants.

The lake is free from large boats and has a number of access points and trip options.


Start/Finish: Llyn Tegid foreshore car park, Bala LL23 7SR

Portages: 0

Time: 2-4 hours

Distance: 8 miles (circular)

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Llynnau Mymbyr

The beautiful Llynnau Mymbyr are set amongst Snowdonia’s highest mountains, with magnificent views of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the Glyders and Moel Siabod. What they lack in size they make up for in scenery.


Start/Finish: Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig LL24 0ET

Portages: 0

Time: 1-1.5 hours

Distance: 2.25 miles (circular)



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Teifi River and Estuary

This stretch of the River Teifi (Afon Teifi) has it all: a beautiful gorge, abundant wildlife, historic castles, peaceful woodland and busy quays. And, if you time it right, you'll get tidal assistance from start to finish.


Start: Llechryd Bridge SA43 2QA

Finish: Patch Beach SA43 1PP

Portages: 0

Time: 2-3.5 hours

Distance: 7 miles (one way)



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Lake Vyrnwy

Lake Vyrnwy (Llyn Efyrnwy) is one of the most scenic reservoirs in Wales. Nestled in the Berwyn Mountains, it is surrounded by old growth forest and is a haven for wildlife and is an RSPB reserve, with visitor centre, viewpoints, walks and hides.


Start/Finish: Bethania Adventure, Llanwddyn SY10 0NA

Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

Portages: 0

Distance: 5 miles (circular)

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Llyn Padarn

Llyn Padarn is part of Padarn Country Park and is one of the largest natural lakes in Wales, with spectacular views of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Dolbadarn Castle and the Llanberis Pass. This is a truly diverse paddle trail, taking you past the village of Llanberis, the ancient woodland of Coed Dinorwig and the National Slate Museum.


Start/Finish: Gilfach Ddu, Padarn Park, LL55 4TY

Portages: 0

Time: 1-2 hours

Distance: 3.7 miles (circular)

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Conwy Estuary

The Conwy Estuary is truly spectacular, with stunning views of the mountains of northern Snowdonia, the imposing Conwy Castle, vibrant marinas and the solitude of rolling countryside.

And, if you get the timings right, you’ll get some tidal assistance all the way!




Start/Finish: Deganwy slipway, LL31 9EJ

Portages: 0

Time: 3.5–6 hours

Distance: 19 miles (return, can be shortened)

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Park in the Past 

A 35 acre lake set in the stunning scenery of Park in the Past, which is being restored to the natural environment as it would have been when the Romans arrived in the area in the middle of the First Century AD. Multiple access points and accessibility options.



Start/Finish: Park in the Past, Fagl Lane, Hope,

Wrexham, LL12 9RB

Time: 0.5–1 hours

Portages: 0

Distance: 1.25 miles (circular)

DOWNLOAD

Other paddling trails are due to be released soon. If you have any suggestions or feedback, do let us know.



Other paddling trails in the UK

You can find hundreds of paddle trail maps and guidance on the Go Paddling website at GoPaddling.info. We are currently working with British Canoeing to expand the information about Welsh paddling trails on GoPaddling.


DISCLAIMER: We do our best to keep this information up-to-date, but we cannot promise that it is still true on the day you read it, You are advised to check locally before paddling. Canoe Wales takes no responsibility for the information provided - and your decision to paddle is always your own.
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