Afon Irfon

The Afon Irfon rises high on the upper slopes of Bryn Garw in the Cambrian Mountains, where the land is known as the ‘Desert of Wales’. From there it flows south through the Abergwesyn Valley, passing the Nant Irfon National Nature Reserve above Abergwesyn village. The river carves its way through Camddwr Bleiddiad, Wolves’ Gorge, before widening into the Wolves’ Pool. Oak woods line its banks near Abergwyesn, where the Afon Gwesyn joins. After threading beneath Irfon Forest the Irfon continues east, skirting Mynydd Epynt, past Llangammarch Wells and Garth, to meet the River Wye at Builth Wells. Its banks witnessed a turning point in Welsh history when Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales, was killed near Cilmeri on 11 December 1282. The river’s name may share roots with the Scottish River Irvine, though etymologists still debate its origin. George Borrow described both the valley and the local legend of a boy who failed to leap Wolves’ Gorge in his 1862 travel book Wild Wales. The upper reaches are protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for their wildlife and habitats. Over its 28 winding miles the Irfon drops from 540 metres to join the Wye. Visitors walk the riverbank paths through the Abergwesyn Valley and past the Nant Irfon reserve. The gorge’s steep sides and the dark pool below form striking scenery. Oakwoods shelter rare plants and birds along the middle reaches. Further downstream the river passes quiet villages like Llanwrtyd Wells and Llangammarch Wells. At Builth Wells the Irfon broadens before merging with the Wye, ending its journey through central Wales.