BOPA - British Outdoor Professional's Association
RIVER ACCESS

Vyrnwy    Banwy    Severn
(Click here for general access conditions) 

The Severn rises on Pumlumon (Plynlimon) at 2000 feet above sea-level and runs steeply through the Hafren Forest until at 950 feet it may be canoed when flash-flood water fills the river. A more normal start can be made at Llanidloes or on the Clywedog. From here, the Severn is mainly Grade I but the weir at Penarth needs inspection and care. The part of the river below Melverley does not form part of this page.

Start End Tot Dist
Miles

Leg Dist
Miles

Access Notes Egress Notes Rapids/High Water Notes Other Notes
Hafren Forest Hafodfeddgar Bridge 1.2 1.2        
Hafodfeddgar Bridge Geuffron Bridge 1.7 0.5        
Geuffron Bridge Footbridge 2.2 0.5       Probably the most sensible starting point for canoeing.
Footbridge Glynhafren Bridge 2.8 0.6        
Glynhafren Bridge Ford/Bridge 3.5 0.7        
Ford/Bridge Hen Neuadd Bridge 3.8 0.3        
Hen Neuadd Bridge Footpath to
Glan-y-nant
5.5 1.7      
Footpath to
Glan-y-nant
Mount Severn 6.3 0.8        
Mount Severn Confluence
Afon Dulas
6.4 0.1 Bridge. 5ft Wier. Portage LT      
Confluence
Afon Dulas
Rapid on "S" Bend 6.8          
Rapid on "S" Bend Llanidloes
Short Bridge
7.0       Start RT, finish centre  
Llanidloes -
Short Bridge
Confluence
Afon Clywedog
7.1          
Confluence
Afon Clywedog
Llanidloes Bridge
B4518
7.2 0.1 Access RT into park    
Llanidloes Bridge
B4518
Ford 9.0 1.8     Rapid under arch Private road!

Ford Dolwen Road
Bridge
10.6     Egress RT before gate into big lay-by. Cafe & phone  
Dolwen Road
Bridge
Ford/Bridge 12.3         Height 144M
Ford/Bridge Road Bridge
Llandinam
14.2          
Road Bridge
Llandinam
Island 14.5          
Island Island 16.3          
Island Island 16.8          
Island Confluence
Afon Trannon
17.0          
Confluence
Afon Trannon
Confluence
Afon Carno
17.1          
Confluence
Afon Carno
Rail Bridge 17.4          
Rail Bridge Caersws Bridge 17.5          
Caersws Bridge
A470
Island 18.9        


Island Island 19.3          
Island Ford/Bridge 21.2          
Ford/Bridge Rail Bridge 22.7          
Rail Bridge Glandulais
A489
23.6          
Glandulais
A489
Rail Bridge
Caersws
24.0         Road on RT
Rail Bridge
Caersws
Confluence
Brook
24.3          
Confluence
Brook
Footbridge 25.9       Rapids before and after footbridge.  
Footbridge Newtown Bridge 26.0          
Newtown Bridge
B4568
Llanllwchaiarn
Old Water Mill Weir
26.5        
Llanllwchaiarn
Old Water Mill Weir
Fall 27.0         Portage RT if necessary
Fall Penarth Weir 28.2          
Penarth Weir Aberbechan Bridge
B4389
29.0       Double-stage weir with a 4 metre tow-back even in low water. Canal feeder. Long portage L. If river low, take feeder for short distance
Aberbechan Bridge
B4389
Bridge A483 30.2       Shoot in high water. 5 miles of hazards follow due to confined strong currents, snags in channels, low trees and rocks Rocky fall above, reef under.
Bridge A483 Confluence
Afon Mule
30.5          
Confluence
Afon Mule
Brynderwen Bridge
Abermule (B4386)
30.7       Rapid and rocks RT  
Brynderwen Bridge
Abermule (B4386)
Caerhowel Bridge
B4385
34.2         Narrow channel L
Caerhowel Bridge
B4385
Confluence
River Rhiw
36.5   Access before Inn on right     Sharp wooden stakes
Confluence
River Rhiw
Confluence
River Camlad
37.2          
Confluence
River Camlad
Kilkewydd Road
Rail Bridge A490
41.0          
Kilkewydd Road
Rail Bridge A490
Kilkewydd Weir 41.2   RT access to caravan park     Deep sloping weir. Shootable in high water. Wide fish ladder in centre.
Kilkewydd Weir Leighton 43.2         Beware iron stakes in channel
Leighton Bridge
B4381
Buttington Rail &
road bridges (A458)
45.7         Beware stakes across river
Buttington Rail and
road bridges (A458)
Road A483 47.0   Access RT before     Inn RT
Road A483 Abbey Weir
(site of)
47.5         Start of Upper Severn Canoe Rally
Abbey Weir
(site of)
Pool Quay
Suspension Bridge
48.5          
Pool Quay
Suspension Bridge
Road A483 48.8         Inn. Canal diverges LT
Road A483 Breidden Hill
(site of Old rail bridge)
49.0   Access LT (A483)      
Breidden Hill
(site of Old rail
bridge)
New cut 54.0          
New cut Llandrinio Bridge
(B4393)
56.2         8ft wide - small flow to river
Llandrinio Bridge
(B4393)
Melverley. Confluence
Afon Vyrnwy
59.5   Access RT 100 yards before bridge.     RT arch in low water. Shallow fall below washes out. Beware iron stakes
Melverley. Confluence
Afon Vyrnwy
        Egress difficult   Road bridge below.

  
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Last updated on 23/07/2022