Afon Dringarth

Nearby Rivers: Swansea Area - Tawe, Neath, Afan and Ogmore

The river runs out of Ystradfellte reservoir and relies on dam spill plus stream top-up to be running. Combined with one of the other trips in the area the river makes for a good day out.

Reservoir to Shoni’s Farm

4 km III to IV

There is a small road that crosses at the confluence of the Llia and Dringarth GR936143. This can be reached either by continuing up the Mellte, or turning off over the Hepste river north of Penderyn. Both roads end up just north of the village of Ystradfellte, and a public footpath can be followed upstream between the two rivers on the true right-hand of the Dringarth.

Put on via the right bank well below the reservoir GR943163. In big spate, the river is a serious grade IV but at normal high levels (bouncy grade II water at confluence with Afon Llia) it is a good grade III. About a kilometre down, there is a sloping fall with a fence stretched across the bottom of it. At grade III levels this can just about be sneaked under. From all accounts this may now have gone, but I haven’t been down here for a little while.

The banks close in and a large, vertical fall blocks the river. This grade V- fall can be run middle to left or via the left hand chicken shoot, but the landing is a bit suspect. In flood, it produces an enormous stopper, which produces some spectacular back-enders! Below this, two fences needed to be portaged on the right.

Otherwise, enjoy a beautiful river in tremendous surroundings. Egress at start of walk-in. One word of note: don’t leave boats lying about - they have a habit of being pinched. If they do, ring the police who, from experience, will know the culprits! A moral tale lies hidden here somewhere! It is best on this river to always keep on the right hand bank. This belongs to Shoni and family - very good friends of mine who are happy to see young people enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said surrounding the circumstances of the left hand bank (disappearing boats).