Paddle the Best of Wales

Name: Paddle the Best of Wales
Start: 2023-09-01T15:10:00+00:00
End: 2023-09-05T15:10:21+00:00
Location: Lake Bala

Enjoy paddling along the best rivers in North Wales. Joining our team of professional instructors to explore the best white water, flat water on lakes (Llyn's) and moving water that Wales has…

Level: Grade 1-2 river journey

Email us to join the waiting list or contact us for a private group booking
£599

Contact us for 2026 dates
Duration: 5 days

Join us for this progressive paddling trip exploring some of the best locatoins for canoeing and kayaking in Wales. We paddle the Dee including crossing the 'River in the sky' Pontcysylite Aqueduct, canoeing and kayaking white water on the Welsh Dee, paddling the River Conwy to Conwy Castle as well as exploring Bala Lake.

Options: Choose from canoes and kayaks when booking

What's Included

Craft
Buoyancy Aid
Basic Map
Dry Bag
Paddles
Helmet
Professional Coaches
Guiding
Water
Your Campsite
Guiding
Food and Meals

We also have some back support for those with back problems

What else we can provide on request

Waterproofs
Hire of Wetsuits
Certification Fee
Tipi Tent
Hire of Drysuits

You will love 5 exciting days of paddling iconic Welsh landscapes with creeks, shooting rapids, exploring estuaries, riding waves, and having the adventure of a lifetime.

We welcome all abilities, but recommend you have some time paddling to make the most of your route, please just let us know if you would like help getting up to speed.

If you are not able to book this trip then it is at full capacity. Please do contact us if you would like to be added to the waiting list or have group of friends, family or workmates that you wish to book on and we can look at booking a bespoke trip for your group.

Trip Description

Explore the best of the west by exploring rivers all over Snowdonia, with a variety of estuaries, white water, lakes, and calming river sends.

Spend your nights in riverside campsites enjoying free-range food and sharing stories with your fellow paddlers.

Our qualified and experienced coaches will provide plenty of tips to improve your paddling skills and keep you moving on a multi-day expedition!

Provided
• Canoes/Kayaks
• Paddling Equipment
• Tuition and Coaching
• Evening meal and breakfast

What do you need?
• Personal Clothing and kit
• Tent, sleeping bag and cutlery etc
• Packed lunches and snacks

Trip Itinerary

Start Time: 9am from Bala

Finish Time: 3pm from Bala

Join us for a 5 day exploration of the wilds of Snowdonia; run by Canoe Trail: a multi-award-winning family-run business. You will join our team of professional instructors and journey to the world famous Lake Bala, our base, and explore the local rivers, rapids and waves.

We will aim to explore a series of stunning paddling locations from our bucket list :

Bala Lake – an incredible gem hidden in the Welsh Mountains
Mawddach Estuary – beautiful coastal scenery with plenty of wildlife close to Barmouth
Dee Valley and the Llangollen canal and aqueduct system – an incredible winding river valley
Dee Below Llangollen – paddle below the aqueduct and explore more of the might Welsh Dee
Dwyryd Estuary – Another stunning estuary linking to Ceredigion Bay

The trip will be based out of a local waterside campsite, and we will pick paddling locations to fit with the weather and conditions to maximise our adventure.

No experience is necessary however we will move participants subject to conditions and experience including selecting the best location for the weather, using tandem canoes or single kayaks (please specify) to provide a more stable ride and also spending time coaching and exploring Welsh Waters.

This is, without doubt, one of our favourite locations to canoe around the UK with clear and stunning waters, majestic wildlife and plenty of history to enjoy. This is your chance to join our instructor team on a bucket list trip of a lifetime.

Note: Itinerary subject to change at any time if deemed necessary by Canoe Trail

Hire FAQ's

What's the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

If you're not sure of what each craft is, then read our guide here.

Are the trips guided?

There are no guides or instructors needed for hire. This is simply a hire where you paddle out and back to our launch point. We recommend our preferred route, however, you are free-range and able to explore the river.

What if it rains?

Unless you hear from us then your booking will run on the day agreed. Canoe Trail runs watersports, paddling, and adventurous activities throughout the year with people enjoying the river and our woodland campsite during the different seasons. On rare occasions (it only happens a couple of times a year) we may move or change your booking. This will be in freak weather conditions such as extremely high river flows in spate or during heavy storms with lightning. You can read our full FAQ here.

How does the booking process work?

We use a live booking system that will assign you the relevant craft and resources. Once you have confirmed your booking date, it is not then transferable and non-refundable in the same way you book an airline seat. Bookings are to be paid in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable. There will be no refunds for early returns, poor weather, or non-usage as per our general terms & conditions.

Location

Best of Wales, Conwy, Bala, Dee and more

View