Afon Dwyfach

Nearby Rivers: Porthmadog Area

Map:	Lleyn Peninsula
Grade:	II+ (one rapid III)
Length:	7 km
Access:	A489 Criccieth to Pwllheli road
Notes:	Hazards - two definite wires needed portaging, plus trees
Quality:

This river turned out to be a good little run, albeit with a few portages around trees and fences. With competent leaders, good intermediate paddlers can have an excellent day out. If this river is up, it is safe to say, so is the Dwyfor, the bottom gorge of which is an excellent run at grade III to IV.

Fron Oleu Bridge to Bont Fechan

7 km grade II+; a few portages

Turn off the A487 Porthmadog to Caernarfon road along the B4411 where, about 2 kilometres down here, it is possible to turn off rightwards and cross the river at a small bridge by Fron Oleu Farm GR474417.

The river is pretty well a continuous class II+ from the word ‘go’ and needs to be in spate at the put-in. However, it is important that the water is still well within the banks as, any higher, it becomes very dangerous at the grade. Some way down the river, a footbridge is passed and, just below this, was the first fence that needed portaging. A road bridge comes next, which is followed by some good rapids. Some way after, on the right hand bank, is an obvious country park-type area. Just below this, on a left-hand bend, is a small weir which can be easily run on the left. A little way below this, at time of last paddling (December ’97) were a couple of trees that needed portaging. A Portmeirion-type house is passed on the right hand bank and, indeed, this was designed by Clough Williams-Ellis. Rapids continue down to the next road bridge, after which the river begins to ease off and one further fence required portaging. Pass under the main A497 road bridge and finish off at the next small bridge, which is Bont Fechan. Egress upstream right - there is a fence below GR463380.