GUIDE TO THE AFON GLASLYN

(Cwm Dyli Power Station to Llyn Gwynant)

NAME OF RIVER: Glaslyn.

WHERE IS IT?: Gwynant Valley, Snowdonia, North Wales. Map.

PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: A bit of a trek into this one. You probably need OS Outdoor Leisure 17 (Snowdon Conwy Valley).

Park at the layby at the top of the rough track (659556) near the Pen y Gwyrd hotel. Walk down the track, which is not suitable to cars unless you have a 4WD, until, after about 2km, you reach Cwm Dyli Power Station, possibly the prettiest power station in the world.

The put in is about 50m below the power station where the Cwm Dyli Gorge flows into the river right in a small waterfall (654539).

The take out is at the Llyn Gwynant Campsite where the river meets the lake (646525). You can park as many cars as you like here for 3 each.

APPROX LENGTH: 2 km.

TIME NEEDED: 45 minutes to walk in, 15 minutes to run.

ACCESS HASSLES: Unknown, but it is suitable for small groups only, 3-4 people. The access agreement for the lower section is with the National Trust so I guess it doesn't apply up here.

WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: It needs a lot of rain and should look like a fast flowing river from the road, not a little stream.

GRADING: III with no eddies and overhanging trees for the first 150m, then II becoming I as it approaches the lake.

MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Overhanging trees and no eddies for the first 150m.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The first 150m are of continuous, bouldery grade 3, with heavily vegetated banks, superb fun, reminiscent of the French Alps. It then eases to grade 2, fast but the eddies start to appear. In the last kilometre it eases again to provide pleasant paddling through clear pools.

OTHER NOTES: Paddling onto the lake will cost you a 3 per boat launch fee from the campsite owners.

There is of course the Glaslyn from Llyn Dinas also.

CONTRIBUTED BY: Sam Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.