GUIDE TO THE AFON GLASLYN
(Llyn Dinas to Beddgelert)
NAME OF RIVER: Glaslyn.
WHERE IS IT?: It is beside the A498 Capel Curig to Porthmadog road.
PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS:
PUT-INS: From Layby next to Llyn Dinas.
TAKE-OUTS: Beddgelert, River Left just under foot bridge.
APPROX LENGTH: 3 miles.
TIME NEEDED: Half an hour.
ACCESS HASSLES: Dunno but never had a problem.
Access agreement in full, from Pete Cornes, WCA (march 2004)...
Access/egress points:
Old Railway Bridge 597473. Ample parking, though care should be taken not to block gate
AA telephone box lay-by 593466
Pont Aber Glaslyn (egress) 595462 immediately upstream of bridge.
LAO: Ian Ganderton
Access 'Agreement'
The access agreement between the WCA, the National Trust and the Glaslyn Anglers Association allows canoeing on the Glaslyn between the Old Railway Bridge (700m downstream of Beddgelert) and Pont Aberglaslyn, from 18 October to 1 April. This includes the section of the river known as Aberglaslyn Gorge.
The section of the river from Llyn Dinas to Beddgelert has no access agreement due to the presence of spawning beds (that is of course the section described here!)
The river below Pont Aber Glaslyn used to be tidal until the construction of the causeway at Porthmadog. There is no access agreement for this section of the river. The land is National Trust property and the Trust is anxious to keep the pool below Pont Aberglaslyn as quiet as possible to encourage the indigenous wildlife, so please respect this.
For access to Afon Glaslyn, please sign in at The Village Stores, Emrys House, Beddgelert
Please note
1.Maximum group size 6.
2.Access is between Bryn-y-Felin railway bridge Pont Aberglaslyn.
3.Please behave in an appropriate manner for a rural environment.
4.Follow advice on WCA signs.
5.Watch where you walk! There is a wealth of delicate flora on the river bank.
6.Canoeists should have the appropriate Public Liability Insurance.
Please fill in your name, home town/address and whether or not you are a member of the WCA/BCU/SCA or CANI.
WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Paddleable until you could mountain bike down it.
GRADING: Continuous Grade I/II.
MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: One fallen tree (Dec 99), See description.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Above Beddgelert the river is relatively easy and definitely not above a grade II. Put in at the lay-by next to Llyn Dinas on the Pen-y-Gwyrd to Beddgelert road. Paddle down the lake and under a wooden bridge. It is about 3 miles into Beddgelert from here with very little to worry about assuming you steer clear of the overhanging trees. About 2/3 way down there is a sharp left hand bend preceded by a small jet, perfect for practising ferrygliding and break in/outs. Immediately around this corner is a fallen tree (as of Nov 1999) on river left, plenty of space to go around it as long as you seen it (tree was not there June '00 - Mark R). The river quickens after this and becomes more technical as you enter Gelerts Rapid (II) but no harm will come even if you pin. The section finishes under the footbridge in Beddgelert (where the River Colwyn joins), take out on the bank river left and then carry over the bridge. Alternatively you could continue down to the Aberglaslyn Gorge which is much harder.
OTHER NOTES: The Aberglaslyn Gorge below is fantastic.
CONTRIBUTED BY: Sam Moore (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Pete Cornes, WCA.
