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The River Wye is 251 kilometres long. It drains a catchment containing a rich and varied landscape spanning the Welsh and English borders. It rises in the uplands of mid Wales, flowing past the towns of Rhayader, Builth Wells, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, entering the Severn Estuary at Chepstow.

The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the River Wye, from Hay to Bigsweir Bridge. Navigation on the tidal Wye, below Bigsweir, is the responsibility of Gloucester Harbour Trustees.

The Wye Navigation Advisory Committee meets in spring and autumn, helping to maintain sustainable recreation and navigation on the River Wye.

For details of the committee and a copy of approved minutes, please email wye-navigation@environment-agency.gov.uk.

River access for boaters

Boaters have confirmed legal access on the River Wye between Hay-on-Wye and Chepstow (where the River Wye enters the Severn Estuary). Upstream of Hay-on-Wye there are a number of negotiated access points.

Access upstream of Hay Bridge

• there is no confirmed legal right of navigation upstream of Hay Bridge
• access to navigate the upper Wye is disputed
• there are 2 arrangements to help facilitate shared access and river use between anglers and paddlers; please refer to the Wye & Usk Foundation website and the Canoe Wye website for further details
• much of the upper Wye is not recommended for beginners, or boaters who do not have considerable experience of white water - you should read the available guides before paddling
• it is recommended that you check and if necessary obtain permission from the owner(s) of the riverbed along your route before you access the river

Access downstream of Hay Bridge

• the public right of navigation does not give an absolute right of access to the river bank downstream of Hay Bridge, except in an emergency or to prevent one
• other than at accepted public sites or where there is public access to the river bank, you should get permission from the owner of the riverbank/surrounding land before you launch or land your boat
• any use of the banks must be not only incidental to your navigation, but also reasonable and considerate to the needs of landowners and other users
• permission is needed to camp or picnic on the banks or neighbouring fields

River Wye calendar of events for 2025

There may be river restrictions around each event.

If you are participating in an event make sure you are aware of the Paddlers Code. This is a guide to using the river without reducing the enjoyment of others or damaging the environment.

Date	Event	Organiser
Sunday 5 January	Winter League Belmont, Tennis courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 19 January	Winter League Belmont, Tennis courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 9 February	River Wye Feeder Championships all club waters	Hereford and District Angling Association
Wednesday 12 February	Spring 2 day Festival Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Thursday 13 February	Spring 2 day Festival Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 23 February	Winter League Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Saturday 15 March	UK Slalom - Symonds Yat Rapids	Wyedean Canoe Club
Sunday 16 March	UK Slalom - Symonds Yat Rapids	Wyedean Canoe Club
Sunday 11 May	Walk the Wye - Monmouth Show Ground	Rotary Club of Monmouth
Friday 23 May	Various locations on Wye based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Saturday 24 May	Various locations based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Saturday 24 May	Monmouth Regatta - Monmouth Rowing Club	Monmouth Rowing Club
Saturday 24 May	Big Paddle Clean Up various locations	Paddle UK
Sunday 25 May	Monmouth Sprint Monmouth Rowing Club	Monmouth Rowing Club
Sunday 25 May	Big Paddle Clean Up various locations	Paddle UK
Sunday 25 May	Various locations based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Monday 26 May	Big Paddle Clean Up various locations	Paddle UK
Monday 26 May	Various locations based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Tuesday 27 May	Big Paddle Clean Up various locations	Paddle UK
Tuesday 27 May	Various locations based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Wednesday 28 May	Big Paddle Clean Up various locations	Paddle UK
Wednesday 28 May	Canoe trips between Glasbury and Monmouth based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Thursday 29 May	Canoe trips between Glasbury and Monmouth based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Thursday 29 May	Big Paddle Clean Up various locations	Paddle UK
Friday 30 May	Big Paddle Clean Up various locations	Paddle UK
Friday 30 May	Various locations based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Saturday 31 May	Big Paddle Clean Up various locations	Paddle UK
Saturday 31 May	Various locations based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Sunday 1 June	Various locations based at Hereford Rowing Club	Canoe Camping Club
Sunday 1 - 8 June	Big Paddle Clean Up various locations	Paddle UK
Saturday 7 June	Haberdashers Monmouth Rowing Regatta Monmouth	Haberdashers Monmouth
Sunday 15 June	Wild Wye SwimRun Livox Quarry area, Tintern	SARA
Saturday 9 August	Wye Float River and Music Festival Hereford rowing club to Greenway cycle bridge	Wye Float Committee
Sunday 7 September	58th Annual Raft Race - Monmouth to Whitebrook	Rotary Club of Monmouth
Sunday 28 September	Joe Burrows Charity Match all club waters	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 28 September	Monmouth Autumn Head - Monmouth Rowing Club	Monmouth Rowing Club
Sunday 5 October	Wye Team Championship all club waters	Hereford and District Angling Association
Saturday 11 October	Symonds Yat Slalom Symonds Yat Rapids	Cheltenham Canoe Club
Sunday 12 October	Symonds Yat Slalom Symonds Yat Rapids	Cheltenham Canoe Club
Sunday 12 October	Winter League Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 26 October	Wye Championship all club waters	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 2 November	Winter League Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
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