Clywedog Brook

Nearby Rivers:  Wye catchment - Rhayader to Hay

Map:	147 Elan Valley & Builth Wells
Grade:	II
Length:	5 km
Access:	A483 Llandrindod to Newtown road
Notes:	fences!!
Quality:

The Clywedog Brook proved somewhat of a nuisance to me. I paddled it in the New Year floods of ’98, got caught under a barbed wire strand, dislocated some ribs and put back progress of this book by a good few weeks. However, don’t let me put you off as, when I re-paddled it in more sociable conditions, it was a pleasant spate grade II - with a few wires to dodge.

Henfryn bridge to A44 bridge

Driving north along the A483 from Crossgates, take the turn off left to Abbeycwmhir. About three kilometres along here is a ‘phone box, followed by a small bridge GR076703 where access can be made below. The river needs to have enough water to clearly and easily float a boat. The main stock fences are all between here and the next small bridge. One of them has my name on it!

Small and attractive gorges are passed on the route down, with trees being the major obstacles. About halfway down is a small, old, brick weir. This is easily shot down its shoot or, with flood levels, over the left hand side. Further still and four enormous pipes and a footbridge span the river which, I guess, carry water to the Midlands. The next small bridge is a possible egress point and, indeed, in high water one is forced to duck to get underneath. Continue down to the A44 bridge GR084650, passing a couple of small weirs en route - these shouldn’t give you too much problem in suitable flows. Alternatively, continue down to the Ithon, though I haven’t done this last 500 metres or so.