Afon Dugoed

Nearby Rivers: West Coast and Machynlleth

The Dugoed is a tributary of the Dyfi (Dovey) River. It also runs in parallel valleys to the Twymyn and Wnion rivers and, as such, has an easier section to start, but with a closed-in gorge at the bottom. It needs to be in medium spate to do the top bit but at these levels, the Mallwyd gorge becomes a serious proposition. This gorge itself can be paddled a day or so after high water and is interesting in its own way.

Tafolog bridge to A470(T)

4 km class III; class V gorge; various tree portages

Turn off by the Brigands Inn at Mallwyd and drive up the A458(T) for about four kilometres where a steep turn off right to Tafolog can be made. The road crosses the river at a little bridge GR891122 where access can be made. A couple of kilometres of the Tafolog can also be done at III but isn’t very inspiring. The river should have a reasonable flow to be worth doing. It is a moody little number. The first kilometre or so is grade III with hints of changing rock character.

Soon after the main road bridge GR870130 the river changes more definitively, and begins to gorge up. At first some very beautiful, narrow drops are tackled. There are some good drops that follow but, at the time of writing, about three trees needed portaging. These require class V skills in themselves and are the main reason for the seriousness of the river. The portages are damned difficult. Picture yourself in a micro eddy, with sloping, green, smooth and slithery walls to hold onto, and just below is a solid tree choke. Some careful scouting and well pre-placed ropes from above are the answer. In truth, only the last drop in the gorge just before the road bridge GR861127 reaches class V.

Don’t be too put off with this as, combined with the tasty bottom gorge on the Angell, a good day out can be had.