Top 13 Canoe & Paddleboard Experiences for Spring & Summer
Come to the canoeing county
Whether you’re after a high energy thrills or gentle journeys in a sublime setting, Herefordshire has got you covered. Pick from city paddles, guided tours, canoe and glamping breaks through to canoe & bike trips and ambitious multi-day challenges.
Our expert canoe companies will kit you out with the necessary gear, providing training and transfers so you can easily experience the beauty of the River Wye first-hand.
Read more about the practicalities of canoeing trips here.
1. City paddles
New for 2022! Hereford sits on a loop of the River Wye and visitors can now take to the water from Hereford Rowing Club with which lies in the heart of the city. Try a two-hour paddle-about to explore the river by canoe or test your skills on a Stand Up Paddleboard. Travel upstream into the countryside beyond or head down river to take in views of Hereford's rose-tinted cathedral and the ancient Old Bridge. Perfect for first-timers and families with children aged 6+, there is also the option to camp overnight at the club. The canoe hire is run by Hereford Kayak Canoe Hire which also offers trips from Byecross campsite.
2. Dawn chorus delights
Another new trip for this season. Catch the dawn chorus on an early morning guided river safari. This peaceful paddle with Hereford Canoe Hire sets off from Tresseck campsite in Hoarwithy and is an ideal way to connect with nature at this beautifully tranquil time of day. Your efforts will be rewarded with a hearty breakfast. Mornings simply don't get better than this.
3. Paddleboarding for yogis
Grab the girls to give paddleboard yoga a go. The team at Paddleboarding Adventures will teach you the basics of Stand Up Paddleboarding and ensure you feel safe on your board before setting down anchor for a fun, challenging and peaceful yoga session. Fresh air and birdsong will help you connect with your inner om.
4. Family canoe and camping safari
Book an adventure that will definitely impress the kids, with no Bear Grylls style skills required. This convenient two-day mini expedition with Adventures with Dave includes everything you need, including overnight accommodation in a pre-pitched tent, locally-sourced picnic lunches and dinner, as well as the services of your very own wildlife-spotting safari guide. Well-behaved dogs are welcome too. Dates from April to September.
5. Summer sunset canoe trip
Take a 9-mile canoe trip, paddling through spectacular scenery as the sun sets! This magical trip is offered on specific Saturdays in July and August by Wye Dean Canoe Hire. Starting out just below Kerne Bridge, canoe through Bishopswood and Lydbrook and towards Welsh Bicknor, perhaps pausing for a brief look at the amazing little church on the riverbank. Follow the river as it meanders in a large horseshoe underneath the landmark Symonds Yat Rock, finishing your journey at Symonds Yat East.
6. Paddle and munch
Work up an appetite before tucking into fabulous food at Ye Old Ferrie Inn which offers canoe hire for £20 an hour. Take a relaxed paddle around Symonds Yat before diving into the bistro for a well-earned lunch. Chill out on the riverside terrace, sampling local cider, beers and spirits or whisk away younger visitors for a trip to the Wye Valley Butterfly Farm, only 5 minutes up the road by car.
7. Dog-friendly fun
Welcome a four-legged captain aboard your canoe. Most of our providers happily welcome well-behaved dogs on board (please double check in advance) and typically provide a buoyancy aid to keep them safe. Keen swimmers will also enjoy taking a dip in the water. Unbelievably cute.
8. Hike & Paddle 6 Day Challenge
Up the ante with this exhilarating endurance adventure: an epic three-day trek followed by three-days in a canoe. Stay in country pubs on the first leg, then camp out by the river on your return. A tough but incredible way to take in the glorious Wye Valley and Golden Valley.
9. Canoe and cycle short break
For an action-packed short break, look no further than Wheely Wonderful's combined cycling & canoeing trips. Spend two or three days cycling along water meadows and river valleys, picking up the pace for the occasional steep section, followed by a day's paddle downstream. Bed & breakfast accommodation, along with quality bikes and canoes are all part of the package.
10. Accessible adventures
Canoeing on the Wye is something those with mobility issues can enjoy too. Adventures with Dave is experienced at adapting activities for wheelchair users and can design to trip to suit specific individual needs.
11. Glamp and canoe
The perfect riverside getaway beckons. Stay in a luxury riverside lodge at Whitney Bridge and wake up to tranquil views of the old railway bridge and historic wooden toll bridge. Opt for a half day paddle to Turner's Boat Island, with the Merbach Hills in the distance. Or try the full day route to Bycross, which travels on past a medieval deer park, the manor house Moccas Court, as well as the sandstone cliffs and beech woodlands of Brobury Scar.
12. Picturesque views and peregrine falcons
Start in Ross-on-Wye and travel downstream through the Wye Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Back in 1782, the trend for 'picturesque tourism' was sparked here and the views are just as gorgeous today. Twist and turn along the river to Kerne Bridge and on to Symonds Yat, spotting Goodrich Castle as well as swans, geese, buzzards, herons and ducks as you paddle. If you are lucky you may spot a kingfisher, otter or one of the peregrine falcons which have set up home in the cliffs that run along the skyline. Book this trip with Canoe the Wye.
13. Wye 100 Paddle Challenge
Not for the faint hearted, Wye Adventures leads this fantastic challenge which takes in 100 miles of the River Wye, starting in Glasbury and passing through Hereford, Hoarwithy and Symonds Yat before going over the border into Wales. Stay in campsites along the way, refuelling at nearby country pubs in the evening. You'll be accompanied by a qualified guide, which is particularly reassuring at the point where the Wye joins the Severn as the Severn Estuary has the second highest tidal range in the world. Expect idyllic countryside, sore arms and memories to treasure.
