Guidebook Entry: River Lledr

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Afon Lledr

For paddlers who are skilled in advanced white water, this is one of North Wales’ greatest gems.

Gauging the river level.

Gauge the level of this river by looking over the bridge at 53°04'05.9"N 3°50'09.6"W. This spot is a similar width to most of the rest of the river and therefore gives a representative showing for how much power you’ll find in the other sections.  This river rises and falls fast, and catches a sizeable proportion of the rainfall from the Blaenau Ffestiniog drainage. 

The River Predictor website offers additional guidance on gauging the water level based on the Pont Gethin Gauge.

Pont Y Pant 53.067608, -3.858687 to Campsite 53.068353, -3.836042:

 2 Kilometers Grade 4+(5)

The best put-in rapid in the country followed by some spectacular gorge paddling.

Start by making your way either to the top or the bottom of the Pont Y Pant rapid. You’ll find access on the river left. Pont Y Pant (5) is about 300m of clean downhill creeking moves. Each drop connects to another with sections of slide, stoppers and must make moves, this rapid is a real highlight of advanced paddling in the UK. After Pont Y Pant, the river meanders through calm meadows allowing you to warm up for the Rhiw Goch gorge section. This begins with an L Shaped Drop (4) created as the water carves through a rocky outcrop, Here you’ll find an awkward entry onto a ramp which drops toward a walled-in hole. After leaving the pool below, you’ll soon see the river steepening again, and you should get out left to inspect or portage Minger (5). Here a narrow opening funnels the water steeply into a very retentive stopper that has humbled many paddlers, including this author!  Downstream of Minger, a seal launch straight into the action takes you into the next powerful grade 4 rapids of Rhiw Goch Gorge (4). You’ll emerge from the gorge having had a big adventurous experience, and soon arrive at the campsite bridge. 

Campsite 53.068353, -3.836042 to Beaver Pool 53.075837, -3.795971:

 4 Kilometers Grade 4- (6)

A great adventure with enough jeopardy to keep you on your toes.

A gentle warm up brings you to a notable rapid as the river splits around an island. River right is a fun Corkscrew rapid (4), while the left channel offers an easier corner rapid. Very soon after this, the river will steepen and approach Viaduct Falls (6). It’s been paddled, but when you look at it you won’t be quite sure how. The last eddy is right under the arch of the viaduct itself, but since powerful whitewater leads directly up to this, a walk along the right bank from the previous island rapids to choose your egress point is strongly recommended. It’s a decent walk to get around it, but the power of what you’re walking around makes it a happy and entertaining ramble. After Viaduct, the river chills out considerably and you can enjoy some easy read and run white water. When it begins to build again into continuous grade 3, prepare to stop on the left beneath a small road bridge to scout Pencil Sharpener (4) and Rocket Drop (4). This awesome combo will spit you out into a pool at the River Conwy confluence, where you can peer up into the mouth of the infamous Fairy Glen section as you cruise down toward your take out which will appear on the left after the A470 road bridge.