River Elwy

The River Elwy rises on the northern slope of Moel Seisiog south-east of Llanrwst. Its waters gather at Llangernyw where three streams—the Afon Cledwen, Afon Collen and Afon Gallen—unite to form the Elwy. From there the river flows east through Llanfair Talhaiarn and is joined by the River Aled, which begins in Llyn Aled. Near Llannefydd the river’s course shifted two hundred metres south in a few years. After passing Bont-newydd it turns north and passes through St Asaph, once known as Llanelwy. The lower Elwy valley holds some of Britain’s most important Palaeolithic caves. Pontnewydd Cave has yielded Neanderthal remains and is the most north-westerly site where such finds have been made. Archaeologists recognise the group as one of the country’s key rock-shelter sites. The river also supports runs of Atlantic salmon and sea trout. The Rhyl and St Asaph Angling Association controls twenty miles of fishing beats along the Elwy, Clwyd and Aled. Visitors can walk the riverbanks from Llanfair Talhaiarn downstream to St Asaph. The shifting channel near Llannefydd shows how rivers reshape the land. At Pontnewydd Cave the river cuts through limestone cliffs where stone tools and bones have been found. Anglers fish the pools and glides for wild brown trout and salmon. The waters of the Elwy and Clwyd run side by side for several miles before they merge.