If you're ever in or around North Wales and fancy a fun stop off for some paddling, then a great option is Llangollen. It's a small town located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches 11 miles covering Gledrid to the Horseshoe Falls via the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.





There are some short runs that can be completed in 1/2 - 1 day or multiple times in the same day depending on the tempo. The section from Horse Shoe Falls to The Old Mill where TNR Outdoor are located. This section boasts lots of II-III Rapids with a Serpent's Tail being the classic of this section.









Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen









It is recommended to scout this rapid prior to running it as it has a collection of features that need to be navigated well to avoid hazards. There is an eddy option midway down on river right that can be made a challenge to make for more experienced paddlers.





This rapid can easily be repeated by hiking the kayak back up along the rocks that run on river left of the rapid.













After Serpent's Tail there are quite a few smaller rapids and some bridges to paddle under.





River Dee

There are also some spectacular waterfront properties to admire on the paddle down.





There's plenty of Waves & Holes to play in on the way down to Mill End take out

Towards the end of the section you'll begin to notice more buildings and a Mill on River right. This is one of the best places to get out. The carpark is next to TNR Outdoors. They do charge a fee for parking at the takeout so make sure to check in with them before leaving any cars below.





If you have any questions or would like some more information regarding this trip, don't hesitate to get in touch.





By Kieran Bown



