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2 Day Canoe Hire
Hoarwithy To Symonds Yat East

2 Day Trip – 27 miles

Hoarwithy to Symonds Yat East

Canoe 25 miles of stunning Wye Valley countryside over 2 days.

A great trip for those who want to canoe for a couple of days on tranquil water.

If you do not see the availability you want, please call us and we will see what we can do.

Item for Hire Price
2 Person Canoe (minimum of 1 adult + 1 child over 12) £129.00 per boat
3 Person Canoe (2 adults and 1 child under 16 or 1 adult and 2 children 12-16) £149.00 per boat
3 Adult Canoe Maximum combined weight 34 stone
Pack light to keep people and your kit under the limit
£149.00 per boat
Single Sit on Top Kayak * Experience required
minimum of 16 years old (accompanied by and 18+)
You will need canoes to carry your kit
£90.00 per boat
Single Kayak * Professional training required
minimum of 16 years old (accompanied by and 18+)
You will need canoes to carry your kit
£100.00 per boat
Double Kayak * Experience required
(minimum of 1 adult + 1 child over 12)
Pack light as there is minimal storage space
£129.00 per boat
Spars to join 2 Canoes together
Great for families and those who want to be more sociable.
£2.00 per pair
Launch Fee – Payable upon check in. This must be in cash £4.00 per boat
Arrival Time – Day 1 Finish Time – Day 2
09:45 16:30
Booking Information
  • Call us on 01600 891 376 to book this trip.
  • We take payment in full by Debit Card.
  • You will receive a confirmation email upon booking.
  • By placing a booking with us, you are accepting our Terms & Conditions.
Cancellations

  • 50% of the payment is refundable if cancelled more than 14 days prior to the activity.
  • 50% is non refundable.
  • If you cancel in less than 14 days there is no refund.
Useful Information for your Adventure

Day 1

10 miles – Hoarwithy to Ross-on-Wye

Arrive with us at Symonds Yat East
Kit up & safety brief
We transport you upstream to launch at Hoarwithy

When we arrive at Hoarwithy, we will unload the canoes and double check everyone has all the equipment they need for the trip. The driver will then inform you how to safely get your canoes into the water and then leave you to start at your leisure.

Paddling off downstream through some stunning Herefordshire countryside, you will see many historic sights such as 2 demolished railway bridges, the stanchions of which still sit proudly in the water for you to paddle around. You will go under elegant suspension bridges all whilst being surrounded by the natural wildlife that call the river home, including Swans, Cormorants, Ducks, Canadian Geese and Otters (if you’re fortunate enough to see them).

When you approach Ross-on-Wye you will see a large dual carriageway bridge above the river. Shortly after this, you will see the Ross Rowing Club on your left-hand side. 10 minutes around the corner is Wilton Bridge, where immediately afterwards you’ll find The White Lion riverside pub.

Overnight

You can either camp at The White Lion or Ross Rowing Club (you will need to arrange this directly with the campsites themselves).

We ask that you take all equipment out of the water and put the canoes upside down next to your tents.

Day 2

15 miles – Ross-on-Wye to Symonds Yat East

We recommend you are on the water by 10am at the latest so you have plenty of time to enjoy your journey without rushing.

After carefully packing your canoes and putting on the necessary safety equipment, you will paddle off downstream towards Symonds Yat East.

Paddle 6 miles of tranquil placid water leaving the town behind you. Look up to your right as you approach Kerne Bridge (your second bridge) to get a unique view of Goodrich Castle. Canoeing through Bishopswood, Lydbrook and on towards the Welsh Bicknor Youth Hostel, stop for a brief look at an amazing little church on the right-hand river bank.

You will then pass underneath the disused railway bridge at lower Lydbrook, following the river as it meanders in a big horseshoe underneath the famous Symonds Yat Rock Viewpoint, where the Peregrine Falcons nest. Depending on the time of year you may well see them hunting and teaching their young to fly.

This is the perfect place to stop and enjoy your picnic with some stunning views. Just please leave nothing behind.

From here you paddle underneath Huntsham Bridge and past Symonds Yat West. It takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour to paddle back to our riverside centre at Symonds Yat East from this point.

This trip covers 15 miles and you have until 16:30 to finish the journey, which is plenty of time. It is designed not as a race but a gentle paddle.

Got any questions? Check out the FAQs below.

Hoarwithy to Symonds Yat East – 25 miles
All customers must arrive at our centre in Symonds Yat East. We will then transport you to your start destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the trip take?

Rough paddling pace is 3 miles per hour.

Day 1 – 3 to 4 hours

Day 2 – 5 to 6 hours

What if we have never canoed before?

This is not a trip for beginners. We would suggest you choose a shorter trip and build yourselves up.

We suggest you choose the Kerne Bridge trip as your first experience.

Where do we park?

There is a large Pay & Display car park right next to our centre.

On sunny days please leave plenty of time to find a space and purchase a ticket before your arrival time.

What is the launch charge?

The £4 per craft launch charge, goes to the land owner at Hoarwithy, a lot goes back into the maintenance of the site and access.

This is payable in cash upon check-in and goes directly to the launch site operators.

Can dogs go?

Yes, as long as they are well behaved, not tied into the boat and are no bigger than an average Labrador.

Please be sensible if bringing your dog with you, especially in hot weather!

Will we be unaccompanied?

Yes, 90% of all canoe hire is unaccompanied unless we deem it necessary to guide you down the river because of the conditions on the day.

If we choose to accompany you, it is not intended to be invasive nor does it spoil your time on the water, it is there to help keep you safe.

If the water levels are higher than normal and we are still safe to operate, one of our highly qualified instructors will guide you down the river with a small number of other people. We still get you out to enjoy the trip but in a safe controlled manner.

What if the weather is bad on the day?

If the lovely British weather decides to rain on the day of your activity, we will still go ahead.

We ask you to bring the appropriate clothing and the right attitude to have some fun.

If we deem the weather to be unsafe, we will postpone or cancel your booking. This is at our discretion.

Can we take alcohol with us?

Sorry, as a duty of care to all river users, the environment and the locals who live in the area, we operate a zero tolerance on any alcohol or glass bottles.

We reserve the right to check before allowing you out on the water. If you want to have a drink please do the responsible thing, enjoy your canoe trip and then visit one of the fine establishments right next to the canoe centre upon your return.

Will we have time to stop on the way?

Yes, you will have time to stop on both days, but please keep an eye on the time and look at the maps we give you to see how far you have left to paddle.

What is the youngest someone can go canoeing?

We would not recommend an adult taking anyone under the age of 10-12 years old on this journey as it is quite a distance.

Do not book this trip if you are not 100% your child will be content in a canoe for this length of time.

Do we need to prebook?

We would highly recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment. We may have some availability on the day, so please call us on 01600 891 376 and we will do our best to fit you in.

Is there a maximum weight?

The maximum weight of a person must not exceed 17 stone or 110kg – With a maximum weight of 34 stone or 230kg in a canoe including clothing and any gear.

What should we wear?

Wear clothes appropriate to the conditions. Whilst the chances of you getting wet are slim, it may happen. Bring a change of clothes just in case. Footwear must be worn at all times. No flip flops, ‘Crocs’ or Wellington boots.

How much space do we have to take our gear?

The beauty of this trip is you do not have to carry much at all. You can leave your overnight gear in the car and just take what you need for each day.

However, in a 2 person canoe we will give you a maximum of 2x 60l water-resistant barrels to put your kit inside. In a 3 person canoe you have space for 1x 60l water-resistant barrel.

Do we pay a deposit to book?

Upon booking we take payment in full. This reserves your spaces and you will receive a confirmation email which will inform you on all the details of the activity you have booked. Including what to wear and how to find us.

Can pregnant people participate?

Sorry, we cannot allow anyone who is pregnant to participate in any of our activities.