GUIDE TO THE RIVER LLIW

(West End of Bala Lake to Llanuwchilyn)

NAME OF RIVER: Lliw

WHERE IS IT?:North Wales, at the west end of Bala lake, near the village of Llanuwchllyn and the river Twrch.

PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS:  Put in near an isolated farmhouse when you can see the impressive waterfalls at the head of the valley. Take out at the next road bridge by a phone box

APPROX LENGTH: 5km.

TIME NEEDED: 2 Hours.

ACCESS HASSLES: There were some No Parking signs at the head of the valley. Leave your car in a considerate place where they will not obstruct the farmer or other vehicles.

WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: The river should look barely paddlable at the put-in and take-out. If it is much higher than this the big drops will be horrendous. Steady light rain should be sufficient.

GRADING: Grade 5/5+.

MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Serious multi-tiered drops and slides.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The river begins as an innocuous grade 2 bimble. After about a kilometre you find isolated grade 4 slide/slot (easily portaged), then it eases back to grade 3 eddy-hopping. After about two kilometres of easy water, the gradient dramatically increases, and you suddenly find yourself among exceedingly steep, rocky, multi-tiered drops and slides. The rapids are long, intimidating, complex, hard to protect, and high consequence. Just as your nerves are getting frayed, the river abruptly returns to grade 2/3, and you find yourself floating down to the take-out

CONTRIBUTED BY: Dr Robin.