GUIDE TO THE AFON RHEIDOL

(Capel Bangor to Aberystwyth)

NAME: Rheidol.

WHERE IS IT?: Near Aberystwyth. Map.

PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: Put on at the road bridge in Capel Bangor GR 648797 . Take out in the Irish Sea.

APPROX LENGTH: 8 km.

TIME NEEDED: 3 hours.

ACCESS HASSLES: There were no problems when I paddled it.

WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: You want a medium level with at least 1-2ft under the bridge at Capel Bangor.

GRADING: I-II.

MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: The river has changed course in Lovesgrove and now has several different channels. Some of them go through trees and some through fences! Care is needed.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: It is a lovely touring section down to the sea. Beautiful views in lovely mid Wales. As mentioned before, at Lovesgrove the river has changed course and needs to be looked at to decide the best channel to take.

It ends in the harbour in Aberystwyth. If it is low tide then there are some pipes blocking the way and a weir. These can easily be walked around. Some excellent surf can be had in front of the wooden jetty on a break known as 'The Trap'. One of the best surfing spots in mid wales.

NOTES: The upper river is somewhat different.

CONTRIBUTED BY: Patrick Clissold.