Afon Banwy
Access Officer: Dave Proctor, Capel Bethania, Cwm Cownwy, Llanwddyn, SY10 0NJ. 01691 870615
Nearby Rivers: Vyrnwy and Severn
| Map: | 125 Bala & Lake Vyrnwy |
| Grade: | I to II bouncy river |
| Length: | 27 km |
| Access: | A458 Llangadfan to Llanfair Caereinion |
| Notes: | no portages |
| Quality: | sections of
 and
 |
The Banwy is a beautiful touring river with a few small rapids to negotiate. In off-the-flood conditions, it is a suitable and enjoyable trip for well-led beginners’ groups. Best a few days after high water, when the levels have dropped and the Banwy turns a delightful clear colour as it winds its way down from the mountains to the lowlands.
Llanerfyl to Llanfair Caereinion
12 km class I to II; no portages
The A458 crosses the Banwy at Llanerfyl and it is possible to put on the river from either the little road on the left, or from a public footpath on the right GR032097.
The river meanders its way around the obvious hill of Moel Bentyrch - worth climbing from the footpath found as the river turns back southwards. There are superb panoramic views on clear days. A calm gorge is enjoyably paddled before the next main road bridge is passed, just after the Afon Einion joins from the right.
Between here and Llanfair Caereinion, the rapids become more grade II than I, and certainly feel a bit heavier. One natural weir step - which can be seen from the road - reaches grade III in flood, and care should be taken in choosing a correct line through the stopper. Egress in town below the bridge GR104065 into the car park, river left.
Llanfair Caereinion to Meifod Bridge
14 km grade II (III); no portages
Access from the railway car park in town onto this lovely, lower section of river. Flood conditions are best avoided and, in fact, the river goes for a few weeks after heavy rain. Grade I rapids lead you out of town, and the only time you need to take extra care is at a small, broken step above the first railway bridge. There were few old wooden stakes here - best avoided.
A little way after the main road bridge is passed a caravan site appears on the left. In the next two kilometres are three grade II rapids. The last, Castle Earth Works rapid, just about touches grade III in high water and, in flood, has a good strong stopper on the left. The Vyrnwy enters from the left and it is best to continue down here, on a much more mature river, until the next bridge is reached. This is the Meifod Bridge. There is good access / egress here via the public footpaths GR156128.