10 paddleboard, canoe and kayak spots in Wales
From serene lakes to hidden waterfalls and emerald-green pools of water, a lazy Sunday paddle can introduce you to another side of Cymru, as Katie Worrell reports
NOW that the days are getting longer and the sun is shining more than once a fortnight, it’s time to shake o the winter dust and get back to the great Welsh outdoors. Mesmerising waters across the nation can introduce you to enchanting views and sights you might not have encountered before, as long as all safety procedures are followed and you have a planned route in mind.
Luckily, author Lisa Drewe has published a new guide listing countless beautiful places and routes for paddleboarders to visit. Now available on Amazon following its release on May 1, Paddle Boarding Wales Cymru: 100 Places to SUP, Canoe, and Kayak contains lots of helpful information to get beginners going on their adventures, as well as some more challenging yet still picturesque spots for more experienced paddleboarders – along with some pubs, cli s, caves and alcoves to explore along the way.
Paddleboarding is a great way to explore the Welsh countryside as well as keeping t.
And here are just 10 recommended spots from the book to get out on the water, in which the di culty of the route is rated from one to ve.
1. LLYS-Y-FRAN LAKE, PEMBROKESHIRE
is serene lake is ideal for watersports or people looking for a paddle on a nice day. It is self-launch, pre-book only, and also has a lakeside campsite and the opportunity to go wild swimming.
Boarders will need to clean their equipment before entering the lake to prevent the spread of non-native plant or animal bacteria. e book describes it as a good place to spot otters, polecats and bats that glide across the lake at night.
Parking is also free for the rst hour and then £3 for the rest of the day.
■ Level 2
2. RIVER WYE, MONMOUTH TO PENALLT
is simple route can be found on the Wales and England border, and takes you right through the timeless beauty of the Forest of Dean. It is 4.25km one way (start at the rowing club car park) and then boarders will need to return via Bus 69 from Chepstow to Monmouth.
Along the way they can visit the Boat Inn, which has been standing since 1650, and see the waterfall that gently ows beside it.
Visitors are advised that water levels can rise quickly with rainfall, so always check before you go.
■ Level 2
3. RIVER TAFF AND CASTELL COCH
is river trail has beautiful views of Castell Coch rising from Fforest Fawr and is perfect for a relaxed Sunday paddle. It is a 2.5km return route.
e Radyr Micro pub on the way can provide a nice refreshment as you head towards the beautiful fairytale-inspired castle and a charming escape back in time. e starting point is Radyr Weir, with the launch point a 100m walk to the riverside from the car park.
Visitors are advised that the bank can be slippery when wet.
■ Level 2
4. LLANDRINDOD LAKE, POWYS
is spot is perfect for beginners and families, and was known in the past for attracting Victorian visitors to enjoy the “healing powers” of the lake. Nowadays it o ers a nice walk around the water where you can spot warblers, reed buntings and
king shers as well as the large sea dragon sculpture in the centre of the lake. ere is a waterside cafe for lunch and refreshments, and the lake itself costs £10 a day to paddleboard. ■ Level 1
5. FISHGUARD TO NEEDLEROCK, PEMBROKESHIRE
is can be challenging and better suited to more experienced paddleboarders, with the route in the bay rated at Level 4 and the coastal trip here rated at Level 5. It is a 5.4km return route and accessed via a public slipway with no charges.
For lunch there is fresh sea bass and mackerel available straight o the boat or a stop at the “historic” Ship Inn.
Holding an interesting spot in history, Fishguard port was built to protect the Lower Town from pirates, so watch out for those!
■ Levels 4 and 5
6. CEIBWR BAY AND WITCHES CAULDRON, PEMBROKESHIRE
is is a short but nevertheless challenging route of 3km at Level 5. is route explores a hidden waterfall and labyrinth of tunnels and caves until you reach the Witches Cauldron where the sun turns the water an emerald green. ere is strictly no access to Witches Cauldron from the end of August to December as this is
when seals use the coast to give birth to their pups. Level 5
7. SWANSEA CANAL
Described as an “oasis of green”, Swansea Canal was originally built in the late 1700s to carry coal to the lower Swansea Valley. Now the water is clear and calm and a perfect paddle for beginners, according to the guide.
e distance is 2.8km return and rated at Level
1. You will need a Waterways licence, which can be found via Canoe Wales, British Canoeing or the Canal & River Trust. Along the way you can stop at the Pavillion Cafe or catch sight of the wooden carvings of animals among the trees.
Level 1
8. LAWRENNY QUAY TO CAREW CASTLE, PEMBROKESHIRE
is route takes you right up to the foot of Carew Castle. is is a longer trek of 8.3km so paddleboarders attempting this one will need plenty of stamina, as wind across the wider sections of the estuary can make progress slow.
e castle is a mix of Norman fortress and Elizabethan manor, and there is a cafe nearby named Nest Cafe. Supposedly, Princess Nest (also known as Helen of Wales) who used to live in the castle was the most beautiful woman in Wales.
Level 3
9. MARGAM COUNTRY PARK, NEATH PORT TALBOT
is park is recognisable for anyone who is a fan of Doctor Who, as it is often used as a lming location. A small and sheltered lake, this is rated at Level 1 and an excellent place to start if you’ve not attempted paddleboarding before or feel like you need some practice.
It is surrounded by gardens, woods and parks and all in the shadow of the gothic Margam Castle. It is also home to 400 of the endangered red Pere David deer.
is spot is self-launched with advanced booking and open from 10.30am-4pm for £12.50 per person. e book describes it as a good place for both the family and a picnic!
Level 1
10. RIVER GWENDRAETH, KIDWELLY, CARMARTHENSHIRE
is route is 4km long. It is described as a “gentle exploration” of the Gwendraeth Valley that ends at Kidwelly Castle, which you might recognise from the opening scene of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
ere is plenty of wildlife to spot in the river such as sea bass and egrets. Breakfast or lunch is available at the Gatehouse. e book says this is a high tide only paddle so leave the Quay as soon as the water begins to cover the mud banks.