GUIDE TO THE RIVER WYE

(Rhayader to Llanwrthwl)

NAME OF RIVER: Wye.

WHERE IS IT?:Mid/South Wales, Rhayader.

PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: Put in Rhayader by Rugby Club Car Park.

Take out, just off A470, by road bridge at Llanwrthwl.

APPROX LENGTH: 8 km.

TIME NEEDED: We did it in flood, approx 1 hour 45 min

ACCESS HASSLES: Good at Rhayader and Llanwrthwl but we were challenged at Llanwrthwl by a man claiming to be a land owner but not willing to give his details.

WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Check the amount of water going over the falls at the end of the upper section.

GRADING: Grade II normally, in flood, grade III.

MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Nothing major, rapids under disused railway bridge before confluence of Elan.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Nice stretch, number of rapid and waves to play on, not too long, excellent in high water for those building their skills.

OTHER NOTES:Upper Wye was too high given the paddlers with us, this is an excellent alternative for those developing their white water skills.

We were challenged at the get out by a man claiming to be a land owner but he was not prepared to give any details. He did not come across as a landowner. A polite conversation and healthy discussion seemed to satisfy him. His major concern was that we were damaging Salmon spawning grounds.

Has anybody paddled the Wye between here and Newbridge?

CONTRIBUTED BY: Clive Pearson, Wychavon Kayak Canoe Club, www.wkcc.org.uk, Worcestershire.