GUIDE TO THE AFON RHEIDOL
(Ponterwyd to Parson's Bridge)
NAME: Rheidol.
WHERE IS IT?: Near Aberystwyth. Map.
PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: Put in on the A44 Road bridge in Ponterwyd.Take out at Parson's bridge GR 748792.
APPROX LENGTH: 3 km.
TIME NEEDED: 2-3 hours.
ACCESS HASSLES: No official access agreement. The put in is near some houses so be discreet. There were no problems when I paddled it.
WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: You hardly want any water going over the weir at the bridge in Ponterwyd. You want to paddle it in low to medium levels. If it looks flooded leave it alone.
GRADING: V.
MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Lots of drops and siphons. Everything needs inspecting.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: It starts off a bit of a scrape but soon drops over a fall with horrible siphons into a gorge. All drops need to be inspected. The amazing rock sculptures should warn you that this place is horribly undercut. The river open out a little until it plunges into a narrow gorge BEFORE Parson's bridge. Get out before the gorge it you want to exit here...otherwise you are committed to the next bit.
NOTES:
CONTRIBUTED BY: Patrick Clissold.
