Hay-on-Wye

want to canoe? invite you to start you canoeing adventure at our HQ, situated on the left bank of the River Wye in the legendary town of Hay-on-Wye.  Discover the beauty of the Wye Valley via one of the most beautiful rivers in the United Kingdom, and one of only a small number or rivers that you can navigate by canoe, without restriction, for well over 100 miles. Our family-run company offer you the chance to embark on a relaxing river adventure with family or friends (or solo) to and from any of 20+ different points along the way, with an array of different routes to choose from. Each stretch of the river has its own sights, sounds and smells to behold, with an enormous amount of wildlife on show, including kingfishers, herons, cormorants, swans and otters.

Whether you’re in ‘the town of books’ for the ever-vibrant Hay Festival, or are here during a quieter period, hire a canoe with us and we’ll introduce you to the most fun and rewarding of Black Mountain activities (unless you’re a returning customer, in which case you’ll know exactly what delights await you!). You can opt for a relaxing, slow-paced half-day trip or anything up to a 4-day canoeing adventure (Note: we’ll pick you up from wherever along the route you elect to end your paddle).

Below you’ll find the established Hay-on-Wye canoe hire trips (and some of the things you might encounter along the way) along with information about where to stay, eat and drink. Any questions? Just give us call. We can advise you on everything from campsites (of which we have one here in Hay, by the way) to where to go locally to stock up on delicious picnic goodies:

hay – byecross – holme lacy – symonds yat – monmouth | estimated time: four days

Starting at Hay, you’ll paddle your way down into idyllic Herefordshire countryside through numerous fruit orchards and scenic bridges. The canoe trip will see you passing […] Read more

glasbury – hay | estimated time: half a day

Glasbury to Hay is a 5.5 mile canoe trip starting from the highest navigable point on the Wye, paddling in a northeasterly direction for half a day. On this section you will encounter migratory sand martins nesting in […] Read more

hay – whitney | estimated time: half a day

Hay to Whitney is a 5.25 mile paddle starting in the picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye. “Hay”, often described as “the town of books”, is home to the famous literary festival. The Hay-Whitney paddle […] Read more