Grade: | 1 to 3 | |||||
County: | Mayo | Date updated: | 10/09/2009 | |||
Section Length: | 3/4km | Version: | 3 (History) |
The river finishes up in the sea so walk back up the track on river right to the garage at Belclare.
The steps back up to the road are no longer there as a chunk of the wall supporting them has collapsed. It is still possible to get back up but care is needed as the wall is weak and damaging it more could cause more issues with fisheries/landowners.
This is actually quite a nice run although most people just run the section from Belclare down as it has easy access, can be repeated multiple times and is the best section of river.After the bridge there is a wee flat section which is quickly followed by the main drop and then its continuous till the end. The Irish Whitewater Guide gives this section a IV but unless the level is high I don't think it deserves it.
Anyway regardless of grade this section is a nice run and has lots of technical moves that can be made as it s boulder garden in nature and is a good run to fine tune some skills on.
I've been told by a local fisherman that he's brought a Dublin paddler to court for trespassing. his story was that he encourages the use of the river by paddlers, but its owned by the fisheries and they would like to be asked if its ok to paddle. The paddler he came across was rude to him and told him he had a right to paddle there. The first time I paddled it I asked at the garage beside the get in was it ok to paddle and was told its fine. I've never asked since and don't plan to.
Alan Judge: "Ran into the owner of the land on both sides of the lower section. well meaning dude. Is happy with paddlers as long as we call or text that day to ensure no fishermen on the river during the fishing season. So here is his number and Name Tom, 086 8331586"
Visual. You can walk down to the main drop from Belclare and gauge the level from there.
None really. The upper flat section is a bit overgrown. Swimming on the lower section might result from a couple of bruises due to the boulder garden nature of the river, but sure thats half the fun!