Canoe Hire on the River Wye

At Black Mountain Activities we have been hiring canoes and kayaks since 1992 and the centre has a great amount of knowledge and experience of the River Wye. We have sit-on kayaks which carry one person or the classic open canoe's which will carry two persons (or two adults and two small children).

All hire is on the River Wye - Mid Wales. You can hire from half day (Glasbury on Wye to Hay on Wye) or up to five day "full on" expedition (from Glasbury to Tintern Abbey on the edge of the forest of Dean).

A full days canoe trip will take you from Glasbury to Whitney and normally takes 5 hours with a lunch stop at Hay on Wye.

Canoe collection service is free of charge on half day & full day's hire.
Ample free secure parking, toilets, changing rooms and shower and tea/coffee & snack machines at the Black Mountain Centre.

Starting at Glasbury bridge, equipped with buoyancy aid, paddles & canoe, you can start your leisurely journey down stream to Hay on Wye. There are several shadow rapids over the 5 mile section which are easy to navigate, (there is occasions when you may need to get out of your canoe and pull it through, this only happens during the summer months with extremely dry conditions) your last small rapid is just before Hay. This natural small wear can be paddled over, "river right". Once you arrive in Hay one of our hire team will collect your and transport you and the canoe back to the centre. Paddling time taken 2 to 3hrs distance 5 miles.

Hire Times 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Hire Cost:-
Two Person Canoe half day is £25.00 per canoe (including collection).
Three Person Canoe £30.00 per canoe (including collection). Children under 10 years free.
also available are small storage barrels to hire at £2.00 each per day. Ideal for quick access to wallets or cameras

Full days hire continues after Hay on Wye, your half way point. The journey continues with another 5 miles of meandering scenic river, your destination is either the old wooden toll bridge at Whitney on Wye (A toll fee of £1.00 per canoe applies and is payable by you, directly at the toll bridge), or the Boat Inn (which is a further 10 minutes paddling). A collection service is at hand from each landing point, to return the canoes and canoeists back to the start.

Hire Times 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Cost for a full day is
Two person canoe £40.00
Three Person Canoe £50.00 (including collection).o available are small storage barrels to hire at £2.00 each per day. Ideal for quick access to wallets or cameras.

Day one :- Glasbury on Wye to Whitney. Ten mile - five/six hour canoe trip Camping is available at the toll bridge and at the Boat Inn in Whitney:-

First Nights Camping or B&B's :- The Old Toll Bridge camping next to the river the toll bridge as toilets and tap call 01497 831669 or at The Boat Inn (see list of B&B's on Left), this is in a field adjacent to the pub and can be booked by contacting Carol Taylor on 01497 831391 breakfast can also be arranged with Carol or B/B at the Boat Inn Tel 01497 831391 www.thepoundbandb.co.uk they have limited rooms. Meals are also available at the Boat Inn, there is also a small fuel station with Shop 200m from the campsite.

Day two:- Whitney to Preston on Wye. Fourteen mile - five/six hour trip. The Later part of the day will see you traveling through the Scar and Monnington Falls, (A small rapid). Preston Camp site is on the right hand side just after Monnington Falls. The banks are quite steep at this point and camping is at the top of the river bank. This campsite has a tap and chemical toilet booking should be made through Mr. Price at Court Farm Tel 01981 500349

The village of Preston is 30/40 minutes walk from the camp site and has one pub

Day Three - Preston on Wye to Hereford ten miles traveling time Five to Six hours, there is no places for you to stop for lunch apart for stopping on the side of the river bank for a picnic. Your destination is the tennis courts which is situated on the right hand side beyond the old stone bridge (there are three bridges which you will pass under) When you arrive you should not leave the canoe unattended at any time whilst you are awaiting collection.

Continuing your journey beyond three days

Preston to Lucksall campsite Mordiford (the longest day) nineteen miles paddling time around 8 to 10 hrs the Campsite is nine miles from Hereford Bridge. The campsite is located on the river left after Home Lacy Bridge which is a modern bridge at the junction of the B4399 add B4224. Lucksall has excellent facilities and pub. Tel 01432 870 213. Once you have relaxed in the hot showers, head to the Moon Inn for an excellent meal and a great pint. Mordiford also has a shop with very helpful staff.

Day four:-Mordiford to Hoarwithy Twelve miles - five/six hours. A leisurely start can be afforded as you meet the Forest of Dean. Hoarwithy has a basic campsite Tel 01432840235 Mrs Roberts, but the excellent little pub nearby (The Harp Inn) makes up for this.

Day Five:- Hoarwithy to Ross on Wye - 10 miles-  collection from either the  hope and Anchor pub.

For further day trips please contact the office.

Cost for hire only (per two person canoe per day)
Full Day £40.00 •
Price includes buoyancy aids, paddles, river maps and dry Barrels (normally 1 large and 1 small barrel) suitable for tents, sleeping bags, stoves and food for multi day trips. There is limited spaces in the barrels so you should only take the minimum you need for your trip.

Collection Charges: - Preston on Wye £25.00, Hereford, £45.00. Beyond Hereford £55.00 per group of up to 12

Available:April to end of September