Afon Gam

Access Officer: Dave Proctor, Capel Bethania, Cwm Cownwy, Llanwddyn, SY10 0NJ. 01691 870615

Nearby Rivers: Vyrnwy and Severn

Map:	125 Bala & Lake Vyrnwy
Grade:	II to III; one rapid reaches III+
Length:	9 km
Access:	C road joining A458 - A470(T)
Notes:	trees deserve respect in flood; no portages
Quality:

An easy river that passes through a beautiful gorge.

Dolwen Bridge to Llanerfyl

9 km grade II to III; no portages

Turn off the small C road in Llangadfan. Cross the Banwy and head to GR011097, where a beautiful small stone bridge over the Gam is reached. The small rapid upstream should look vaguely exciting for the level to be worth paddling. Turn right and head upstream for six and a half kilometres where the river is crossed back to its west bank. Good access can be made a few hundred metres upstream, just above a small diagonal weir step (natural). In medium water the rapids are a good grade II. In flood they reach grade III and trees can be dangerous. The boats should be easily able to float at the put-in for the trip to be worthwhile.

Under this first bridge is a fence which can be sneaked on the left with care. The hardest rapid isn’t in the gorges but is about 800 metres downstream, and is where the stream bends steeply around some tombstone-shaped boulders - grade III+. Easy water leads through small, picturesque gorges until a long section of bouncy water channelled through a long straight gorge is reached. This is in between the next farm road bridge and the first stone road bridge (suitable egress). As you near the Banwy, the stream opens out and easier water is reached. As you enter the Banwy, if it is in flood you will notice the feel of heavy water, but it is only grade I to II until the first road bridge and suitable egress at Llanerfyl GR032098.