Kayaking (or canoeing) over
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales -
the highest in the World!

Ponty 1Pontcysylite Aqueduct, Wales, towering above the River Dee near Llangollen

What an opportunity! Kayaking over Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales. It's the highest aqueduct in the world at 39 metres above the ground! It spans across the valley and the River Dee and carries the Llangollen Canal onwards to Chirk and the Shropshire Union Canal.

The trip is suitable for kayak and canoe (must remain seated at all times) so kayaking or canoeing over Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is entirely possible!

The best place to start your paddle is from the car park near Cefn-mawr (W3W) - this is the official car park for the aqueduct. It will be busy in the summer so get there early! There is a small fee to park there.

It's ideal to take snacks and a drink with you as sometimes there is a long wait before you are able to kayak or canoe cross the Pontcysyllte aqueduct. It can be windy too so warm clothes are essential.

It's a short walk from the car park to the canal side. For larger kayaks or canoes, a trolley is very useful.

Kayaking or canoeing over
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales

Ponty 2Dave trundling his kayak down to the canal side

Once on the canal, paddle south west towards the aqueduct. You'll pass a marina and some moored canal boats before going under a small footbridge.

As the canal widens (with a turn to your right too - don't go that way!), you can see the entrance to the aqueduct ahead.

You'll need to assess when it is going to be your turn to cross. Canal boats and other paddlers may be waiting too.

It's a great opportunity to make new friends, grab a snack or just take in the scenery.

Once you have your place, and it could be behind other paddlers or canal boats, it's time to cross.

It will be slow as you will need to wait for other people. You can paddle across or use your hands to guide your kayak or canoe along the edge of the aqueduct.

There are no safety railings so you must remain seated at all times. If you do feel anxious because of the height, move to the tow path side away from the drop.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales - breathtaking views when kayaking or canoeing

Ponty 3Dave crossing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wales in his kayak

Depending on the speed of the other paddlers and the canal boats, it could take a while to get across. Be patient and enjoy the trip.

Once you reach the other side, you have a couple of options:

1) You could carry on along the canal and add some distance to your trip.

2) You could turn around and paddle back across the aqueduct.

Either is fine although you will have to factor in the wait times for paddling back across the aqueduct. In summer, these could be long!

Ponty 4Dave following canoes across the highest aqueduct in the world, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales

If you don't have your own canoe, there are several companies that run guided trips across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales. Here's two as a suggestion:

You'll find a kayaking or canoeing trip across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales invigorating and the views, from the highest aqueduct in the world, spectacular.

Have fun and stay safe.

PS. Here's the video of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales from my 2024 Road Trip:

PS. Paddlesports can be dangerous.
Read our safety disclaimer - here

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