River Ceiriog

The River Ceiriog is a tributary of the River Dee in north-east Wales. It begins high on the slopes of Moel Fferna in the Berwyn Mountains at about 549 metres above sea level. The river winds through the Ceiriog Valley, passing farmland and wooded hillsides. It flows beneath Chirk Castle and the town of Chirk, where the Llangollen Canal crosses on the Chirk Aqueduct. Nearby stands the Chirk Viaduct, carrying the Shrewsbury–Chester railway line over the valley. The river is famous for its fast flow and wild stretches, described as the fastest in Wales. Trout have long lived in its waters, and in 2009 the first artificially reared grayling in Wales were released here. British prime minister David Lloyd George once called the valley “a little bit of heaven on earth.” The Ceiriog also forms part of the border between Wales and Shropshire in its lower reaches. Visitors walk along the riverbank paths or beside the canal towpath. The river’s depth changes quickly, reaching over 1.6 metres in places. Natural Resources Wales keeps watch on water levels at Brynkinalt estate. Anglers come to fish for trout, while others enjoy views of the viaduct and aqueduct. The valley’s quiet lanes and open moorland offer peaceful walking away from main roads.