Canoe & Kayak Hire on the River Wye, South Wales
Hire a canoe or kayak for a few hours, and explore the river wye. We offer half day canoe hire, full day canoe hire and multi day canoe trips.
Our canoe hire fleet consists of 2-seater canoes, 3-seater canoes (traditionally known as Canadian canoes), single person sit-on-top Kayaks and tandem sit-on-top Kayaks, giving you a choice of craft for your leisurely journey down the river Wye. You will find yourself truly spoilt when paddling down this beautiful stretch of the river Wye, starting from Hay-on-Wye, taking in the stunning views of the Black Mountains and surrounding countryside as well as getting glimpses of the local wildlife along the way. At the end of your trip we will be on hand to collect you and return you to our activity centre – It’s that easy!
Our canoe & kayak hire takes place on a natural flowing river, going from Hay to Whitney-on-Wye (or on the Brecon Canal when conditions deemed unsuitable by black mountain activities). Conditions however can fluctuate and therefore individuals are required to have previous paddling experience and an understanding of how to paddle the craft in a river & canal environment. Training & Instruction is not provided unless taking part in an instructor-led or guided session.
Don’t have any canoeing experience? Not too worry! If you have never paddled before or are planning to paddle with children for the first time then check out our Guided Canoe Trips which are instructor led and full of fun & great value for money!
*PLEASE NOTE: DURING AUTUMN / WINTER ALL CANOE & KAYAK HIRE WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE BRECON CANAL*
Trip Details
The Journey
SPRING/SUMMER ROUTE (April to October) :
River Wye – Hay-on-Wye to Whitney (5 miles)
AUTUMN/WINTER ROUTE (October to April) :
Canal – Brecon Theatre to Storehouse Bridge
(4.5 Miles)
. . .
Hire Times
Morning – 9:15am to 12:30pm
Afternoon – 1:15pm to 4:30pm
. . .
Minimum Age
8 years (conditions apply)
*Experience is required when hiring canoes or kayaks.*
Please see restrictions section below prior to booking
The Journey
SPRING/SUMMER ROUTE (April to October) :
River Wye – Please call for route details
AUTUMN/WINTER ROUTE (October to April) :
Canal – Brecon Theatre to Talybont
(8 Miles)
. . .
Hire Times
Arrival – 9:15am
Collection – 4:00pm
. . .
Minimum Age
8 years (conditions apply)
*Experience required when hiring canoes or kayaks.*
Please check restrictions below before booking
Our overnight canoe hire expeditions are available from 2 – 5 days, starting from Glasbury and going downstream as far as Tintern. You can camp out each evening at designated campsites or B&B’s along the river Wye and if your planning a longer adventure of 3 or more days, you can also discover Wye valley and the historic towns of Hereford, Ross and Monmouth.
Total Distance: 23 miles
Cost: £110.00 per person, per 2 days
Collection Fee: Included in cost
Day 1: Arrive at Black Mountain Activities, load your gear into dry barrels, grab a buoyancy aid and paddle and open canoe and you’re ready to go! We will transport you to the starting point in Glasbury, from there you will begin the first part of your journey, a 10 mile paddle downstream to Whitney-on-Wye.
Day 2: You will continue downstream in your open canoe a further 12 miles to Preston-on-Wye, where we will meet you at 3.30pm and transport you back to the activity centre (30 minutes drive).
Total Distance: 30 miles
Hire Cost: £165.00 per person, per 3 days
Collection Fee: To be confirmed upon enquiry
Day 1: will see you paddle 10 miles from Glasbury down to Whitney; stopping there for your first night.
Day 2: you will continue a further 12 miles down meandering river to Preston-on-Wye; your final camping stop along the river.
Day 3: for your final day, you will paddle the remaining 10 miles downstream to Hereford, where we will meet you at 3.30pm and transport you back to the activity centre (45 minute drive).
Distance: 51 miles
Hire Cost: £220.00 per person, per 4 days
Collection Fee: To be confirmed upon enquiry
Day 1: You will paddle 10 miles from Glasbury to Whitney, where you will stop for your first night.
Day 2: you will continue a further 12 miles down to Preston-on-Wye, stopping for your second night.
Day 3: this is the longest day of the trip with 19 miles to paddle down to Holme Lacy. You will be landing at Lucksall caravan & campsite for the 3rd night.
Day 4: is then a final leisurely 10 mile paddle down to Hoarwithy, where we will meet you at 3.00pm and transport you back to the activity centre (1 hour drive).
Route: Glasbury to Ross-on-Wye
Total Distance: 60 miles
Cost: £275.00 per person, per 5 days
Collection Fee: To be confirmed upon enquiry
Day 1: Starting from Glasbury you will begin your trip with the gentle stretch down to your first stopover – Whitney-on-wye.
Day 2: you will then continue a further 12 miles of meandering river down to Preston for your second stop.
Day 3: is the longest day with 19 miles to paddle so, have a good hearty breakfast, pack your lunch and enjoy this long but adventurous stretch down to HolmeLacey, where your stop is Lucksall Campsite.
Day 4: you can take it easy on day 4, with a leisurely 10 mile paddle down to Hoarwithy. Here you can camp at Tresseck campsite for your fourth and final night.
Day 5: is you final 10 miles down to Ross-on-wye, where we will meet you at 3.00pm and transport you back to the activity centre (1 hour).
Pre-trip Camping
Digeddi Wildlife Camping | 07772 554861
Visit Site
Day 1
The Pound Camp & BnB | 01497 831391
Visit Site
Day 2
Bycross Farm Campsite | 01981 500 284
Visit Site
Court Farm Campsite | 01981 500 349
Visit Site
Day 3
Lucksall Campsite | 01432 870 213
Visit Site
Day 4
Tresseck Campsite | 01432 840492
Visit Site
Multi-day hire cost includes 2-seater canoe & paddles, buoyancy aids, 1 large dry barrel & 1 small dry barrel, & private overnight parking. Free collection is included with the 2 day hire to Preston-on-Wye, after which point collection charges do apply, please see fees detailed in trip info above.
There must be correct number of adults per children, see ratios below.
Sit-on-Top Kayaks min. age 14 years +. Experience required. Adult rate will apply
Previous paddling experience is required when hiring.
*When planning to paddle with children, be honest about your ability to manage their safety in a river environment*
Adult : Child Ratios
8-12yrs – 2 adults per child (sharing a boat)
13-15yrs – 1 adult per child sharing a boat
*please call for further clarity on ratios. Guided trips are also available.*
River Environment & Weather
Prior to your arrival river levels & weather conditions are checked by our staff to ensure they meet the correct conditions for canoe, kayak or paddleboard hire that day. Should river levels be deemed unsuitable by Black Mountain Activities Ltd, hire will take place on the Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal.
Familiarise yourself with the river environment before your trip. Check out this handy guide by British Canoeing HERE
Canoe & Kayak Hire is available as either a half day session or full day session. Times for each hire slot are specified below. Please also be aware that times include check-in, kit-up and transport to/from the river.
| MINIMUM AGE | 8 years (adult:child ratios apply) |
| ADULT/CHILD RATIOS | 8 – 12yrs – 2 adults per child (in same boat) 13 – 15yrs – 1 adult per child |
| HIRE TIMES | Full Day – 9:30am to 4:30pm Morning – 9:30am to 12:30pm Afternoon – 1:30pm to 4:30pm |
| ARRIVAL POINT | All customers are to arrive at the Black Mountain Adventure Centre 15 minutes prior to hire time. |
| HIRE ROUTE | SUMMER – River Wye from Hay-on-Wye AUTUMN/WINTER – Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal |
| WHAT’S PROVIDED | Buoyancy Aid Paddle & Canoe / Sit-on-Top Kayak Transport to/from the water |
| WHAT TO BRING | Swimwear Towel Full change of clothes Trainers (no flip flops, sandals or wetsuit socks) Do not bring valuables where possible Alcohol is NOT permitted at any time |
| WEATHER | If the river levels are too high and deemed unsuitable on your chosen hire date, all hire will take place on the Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal. Please feel free to contact us 24 hours before arrival to check river levels. During Autumn & Winter hire only takes place on the Canal. |
| RESTRICTIONS | Minimum of 2 adults required to book There must be correct number of adults per children, see ratio section above. Sit-on-Top Kayaks available for 14 years +. Experience required. Some paddling experience is required when hiring. |
All our activity sessions take place outdoors where conditions may be wet, cold & muddy. Please consider this prior to arrival, preparing yourself with appropriate clothing for the outdoors.
Campsites along the river…
Pre-Trip Camping
Digeddi Wildlife Camping | 07772 554861 | Visit
Day 1
The Pound Camp & BnB | 01497 831391 | Visit
Day 2
Bycross Farm Campsite | 01981 500 284 | Visit
Court Farm Campsite | 01981 500 110 | Visit
Day 3
Lucksall Campsite | 01432 870 213 | Visit
Day 4
Tresseck Campsite | 01432 840492 | Visit
Campsites are listed by order of their location along the river
Check availability and book online today!
Not all dates are released online so if the date you would like is displayed as ‘unavailable’, or does not have enough spaces, give us a call and we will do our best to help. For group bookings please give us a call on 01497 847897.
BOOK HIRE |
Book Online |
BOOK A GUIDED TRIP |
Book Online |
MULTI-DAY |
Call to book |
