Afon Dwyryd

Embark on a magical Stand Up Paddle Boarding journey from the wide tidal sandy estuary of Dwyryd through the very special valley of rare Atlantic Oak woodland and home to one of UK’s rare thriving Atlantic Rainforests.

The Dwryryd starts its journey high in the hills north of Ffestiniog draining from Moelwyn Mawr into Llyn Ystradau where the outflow forms the Afon Goedol. This is then joined by the Rivers Bowed, Afon Teigl and finally the Afon Cynfal before it flows through a deep wooded gorge home of the wonderful Rhaeadr Cynfal waterfall south of Ffestiniog. From here it flows through a wide vale formed by glaciation the Vale of Ffestiniog where it finally reaches the sea at Tremadog bay.

Launch from the small shore line at Point Briwet Bridge and head upstream past the Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve directly opposite which was once an explosives factory but now owned by the National Trust.  The reserve is now brimming with life and home to nesting Redstarts, tree pipits, pied flycatchers and horseshoe bats which nest in the old buildings and tunnels.

You will soon find yourself paddling alongside the A887 for a short distance before you begin to wind your way up river.  Here the steep slopes of the Coed Felenrhyd and Llennyrch can be seen made up of mostly oak.  On route lookout for the boathouse of Plas Tan-y-bwlch which was once the summer home to wealthy slate miners.

How far you can travel up the river will depend on water levels and tide but it is possible to reach the road bridge at Maentwrog.  It is very shallow in places and a fitted river fin may help but you might have to carry your board for short intervals.  This is a linear paddle so the return is the same route.

To make the best of this paddle it is best to start as soon as the channel fills and deep enough to paddle.  Just be vigilant of sandbars and you should aim for around 2.5 hrs before High Tide.  This will give you the benefit of the tide pushing you up the river and then return on the ebb tide.