Hay to Hereford on the river Wye, 30 mile 3 day canoe trip

Hay on Wye to Hereford on the middle river Wye. 3 day, 30 mile canoe trip from Hay, via Whitney, Monnington, Bredwardine, Preston, Byford and finally Hereford. Taking in a wild camp in a secluded spot on our first night followed by a night on the riverbank at Preston. Shout out to Hay Taxi Bus for top class service taking us and our gear from Hereford rowing club to Hay on Wye.
•
Filmed using: Canon EOSR and RF lenses, GoPro Hero8 Black & GoPro Hero4 Black, GoPro Hero3 Black & Mavic Air drone. Zhiyun Gimbal & Tascam DR-05 Audio recorder.
Edited in FCPX
Voiceover recording by David Oliver @ Davidolivermusic.com
Music: Epidemicsound.com

[@LatitudesWildernessFilms]

What a lovely short film to watch, so relaxing and peaceful. I still say that even with all the "big name" youtubers out there in the canoeing world, you have the best style of filming, editing and storytelling. I absolutely love what you do Andy, keep it up my friend!

[@MrAndyballard]

Many thanks Pete, always good to get your comments. We may not have the spectacular scenery like you Canadians, but it's all good hey? rivers are relaxing and peaceful wherever they are in the world. One day... Canada beckons maybe. Still looking forward to your Grey Owl film!

[@tristanwalker3054]

I love this stretch of the Wye, I did it back in June on my paddleboard.

[@MrAndyballard]

Great isn't it? I keep on returning, I never tire of it.

[@rogerhollenbeck2916]

I would love to hear more about doing this stretch on a SUP

[@Manishboy742]

Great video really enjoyed it

[@MrAndyballard]

Thats good to hear Nigel

[@troyphipps59]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@WyeExplorer]

Andy that was just so good. You managed to touch on the essence of slow travel there my friend. There was so much wild life out including the Kingfisher, which was heartening considering the health of the river. And no us campers do absolutely no damage by comparison to the phosphate producing mega farms. I must say you make me want to canoe the river. I've walked all the rivers but never canoed the main channel. It's going to be a treat when I do. Well, a fantastic edit there. Nicely done. All the best as always. Mark

[@MrAndyballard]

Ah ‘slow travel’ I like that. The bird life on the Wye always manages to blow me away Mark, we also saw heaps of sand martins flying into holes in the cliff like banks, that was special. I must say, the river looked a LOT clearer this time round than previous trips. There was a documentary on the box presented by George Monbiot a year or so ago called Rivercide I think which highlighted how much pollution was spewing into the river from factory farms, it was disgraceful (and very frightening). So what's a night on the riverbank in a tent or a hammock going to cause? a few flattened stinging nettles at most? Hypocrisy abounds in large amounts. Make the leap from legs to paddle power Mark, you won't regret it!

[@WyeExplorer]

@@MrAndyballard Yeah, it is an apt phrase for this type of travel Andy. Great to hear of the Sand Martins - always good to see and good to hear of the water quality. As for the doc I've watched it twice - shocking for sure and so upsetting. I agree the only impressions we leave are out tent prints. Paddle power is on the horizon.

[@ohsouthlondon]

Here as part of my planning for a similar trip with the kids. Trying for the least busy route, but there’s not much of that available in the UK. Very useful, well edited video, and good info in the comments. Thanks for the time and effort.

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for watching Ben. There are some lovely ‘less busy’ spots on the Wye still. I think I'd say that the most important part in planning, is WHEN you go. I've gone on the river on a sunny May/June weekend and not surprisingly you'll find it packed with every sort of paddler - private AND hire craft. I've set off on a Monday morning, and I've had the whole river to myself not even seeing one other paddler in hours. So timing IS everything. It's also entirely possible to wild camp in some very quiet and isolated spots, you just have to be very discerning about where you choose to have a night on the river bank. Good luck.

[@Kiki-mc2hv]

That soo funny because where you ended at the bar/idk what it is, is where we stop and it’s always a killer bringing up canoes those big steps

[@lauriebloggs8391]

Canoeing and camping........ your films are so special. I'm with 9murlon below :-)

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one Laurie, it was a great trip on a beautiful river

[@billybud8178]

Loved the last video you two did on the Wye a few years back, didn't realise it was 5 years ago tho. Enjoyed this one too, excellent work.

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks Billy, glad you enjoyed watching both films. This one was well overdue!

[@polar1147]

We did that exact trip this year over 3 days. Was a great experience and looking forward to doing the next section next year.

[@MrAndyballard]

Yes, it's a beautiful river alright. I didn't get to visit this year for various reasons, but maybe next spring/summer hopefully.

[@mikeodonovan7325]

lovely to watch well worth a watch hats off sir done with style classsssssssss

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one Mike, cheers for watching

[@MercuryCircuit]

A beautiful part of the world. Looks fantastic and very peaceful :)

[@MrAndyballard]

A very beautiful part of the world indeed, thanks for watching !

[@wrzlgummidge7663]

Brilliant vid, thanks for sharing. atb

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one Wurzel !

[@youareamazingyesyou5880]

Really enjoyed your film! Ive yet to make it to the river wye... but hopefully soon I'll make it there

[@MrAndyballard]

That's good to hear, thanks for watching. It's worth the trip, try to go in teh less touristy months (spring & autumn) - middle Wye is the best stretch (IMO)

[@ethicalbunny]

Beautiful video 😊

[@MrAndyballard]

Glad you enjoyed it, I need to get back over there soon - the river is calling!

[@stevereed9391]

What a great three days, thank you you two , loved the salmon photo bomb, never know what’s round the next bend , keep on going 👍

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks Steve, jumping salmon were quite frequent, they're active at this time of year I guess. End of May, early June is a great time to paddle the Wye as the fishing season hasn't started yet.

[@9murlon]

Lovely film - great film making skills you have! Love how you capture the otherworldliness of river journeying - makes me want to set off on a journey. I haven't wild camped on the Wye - assumed it would be too busy or hard to find discreet spots, but I think I should have a go.

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers Murray, ‘otherworldliness of river journeying’ I like that. Canoeists and kayakers get that, it's a different perspective from the river for sure. The middle Wye is quieter than further east/south. I think you'd find it too difficult to find a spot to camp further downstream, I may be wrong.

[@ljhm6816]

Idyllic, river's are fascinating and magical places. 👍🏾

[@MrAndyballard]

They certainly are... I can't wait till spring 😂 (as I'm a fair weather paddler)

[@ljhm6816]

@@MrAndyballard have you tried the Dee in North Wales

[@MrAndyballard]

@@ljhm6816 No I haven't, but the white water sections do appeal to me. I'd love to give it a go. You?

[@ljhm6816]

@@MrAndyballard I'm lucky to live by the river, I'm due out on her today, reckon you would love it and I think it would make some great content for your channel. Check out the pontcysyllte aquaduct, and so much more 👍🏾

[@MrAndyballard]

@@ljhm6816 where would you recommend on the Dee as a good stretch for a multi day trip?

[@paulshilling874]

Such great content and would love to contact you Andy about the River WYE. Paul

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for watching Paul, I'm not sure what the etiquette is for leaving contact details in the comments section on YT. I have a website: forestphotographics with my details, you're welcome to check me out on that. It's a co.uk address.

[@iamlostinaforest]

What beautiful journey, filmning & landscapes. Thank you for sharing & canoe inspiring.

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it. Do you have Allemansrätten in Denmark like the other nordic countries? (right to roam & camp on any land?)

[@iamlostinaforest]

@@MrAndyballard Sadly Denmark doesn't work with Allemansrätten. But, we have the possibility to set up a tarp or hammock in most public forest and at costlines. Parallel we can do "friteltning" (free tenting) in 275 forests scattered all over the country. Not, quite the same, as on the other side of the waters (Sweden), but, there are great possiblities also as more forests, primitive camp spots and shelters are added all the time. - Do you have Allemansrätten in UK? Such a great concept. Wish we could find it all over Europe, right? :)

[@MrAndyballard]

@@iamlostinaforest here in the Uk (apart from Scotland) we have very backward laws on where and where you can't go on the land, we have no Allemansrätten for sure. Scotland is more progressive like some parts of Scandie, so you can wild camp and walk over most of the land providing you stick to a code. Also I think you have a much smaller population over there in Denmark... there are far too many of us here on this small island called the United Kingdom. But a tiny percentage of us own a majority of the land, it's very inequitable. (always has been through history).

[@iamlostinaforest]

@@MrAndyballard Sorry to read UK is unkind to the belief of Allemansrätten. That's very 2022 backwards. Hoping you have good chances to explore the beautiful nature, rivers and lakes of Scotland. One day with time, hop over to Scandia for a wild camp and paddle. A Hou 13 will be standing by for you to use. Happy Thursday Westbound :)

[@Kiki-mc2hv]

Also at 10:09 is when we normally start our first day and where we camp and I do recommend and the pizzas there are very nice 😊

[@MrAndyballard]

Byeford campsite hey? I've been in there for a look, but prefer a bankside wild camp tbh.

[@alistairellen]

Magic- Such a calming and inspiring film

[@MrAndyballard]

That's enough for me.. if it inspires, then I'm happy!

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Superb video Andy and a great looking trip, the wye is on my list of canoe trips. Some not seen before camera angles as well, they really showed the movement of the water beautiful.

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks Martin, you won't regret it, it does get v busy now in the summer, but the middle wye (IMO) is still quieter than lower sections Symonds Yat etc

[@mandycampbell329]

Absolutely stunning film Andy! Good to see you both having a great time. Thanks for making me laugh! 😁

[@MrAndyballard]

Glad I made you laugh Mandy, probably tickled you about Wol being a ‘faffer’ in the morning hey?

[@jawa134]

Thanks for sharing Andy - a great film as always. I did this section last year with my daughter - paddling from Hay to Hereford and camping at Whitney Toll Bridge and Byecross (just before Monnington Falls). A lovely part of the river.

[@MrAndyballard]

The Whitney section is lovely, the fast little chute that skirts the island is a giggle, I always enjoy that bit. Monnington is a blast too, the river could really do with a top up, a bit of constant rain would be welcome.

[@jawa134]

@@MrAndyballard yeah those sections are nice. Last year the river was cloudy in places due to the chicken manure. It looks better this year based on your video but did you find anything like that?

[@MrAndyballard]

@@jawa134 You're right, I paddled Hereford to Hoarwithy a couple of years back and it was really cloudy, awful in fact. The river looked a lot clearer this time round thankfully

[@troyphipps59]

Can't wait for the next adventure

[@MrAndyballard]

Only just got over this one... thanks for watching!

[@Kiki-mc2hv]

At 9:10 in the video whenever we go on our group canoe camp we always have one how capsizes on that one bend 😂

[@MrAndyballard]

Really? it's fast little stretch of water for sure, I find it exciting, but I've never capsized there, I always look forward to it.

[@Adventure-Outdoors]

Another excellent video, what a great way to spend a few days with a friend. I'll have to get organised and paddle that river at some point, it's been on my radar for ages but I'm always put off by the logistics of it. Looking forward to the next video Andy 👍.

[@MrAndyballard]

Glad ya enjoyed it, yes, the logistics do take a bit of thought but its well worth it in my opinion. I cant overstate the feelings of tranquility that I felt after 3 days on the wye.

[@9murlon]

Hi Andy, hope you've been out in your canoe since this outing. Missing you on insta too. Hope all is well. Best wishes for Christmas ☃️

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks Murray, yes, a few times this last summer altho not as much as I would have liked to be out n about. I layed off IG as I was feeling that it was a pointless exercise, I find the whole social media world a bit false at times. Merry Christmas to you & yours!

[@TheKayakCrew]

Some awesome footage of an awesome river. I have only done from Hay to Whitney on that section. I paddled it last November when the water level was a lot higher than when you did it, but I still recognised some the landscape features that you passed on your kayak. Are you able to land/launch at Bredwardine by the bridge? I was thinking of doing Whitney to Bredwardine next and then maybe Brrewardine to Bridge Sollers. Are you able to land/launch at Bridge Sollers do you know? From there I plan to do Bridge Sollers to Hereford and then Hereford to Holme Lacy which will then be the last section of the Wye for me to paddle! You couldn't be more right about the damage done to the river by farming. Make it ironic how some fishermen and landowners (not all of them mind) are so anti kayaking, when we do harm to rivers at all.

[@MrAndyballard]

Great that you enjoyed it. Re. Bredwardine... check out this vid of my: "Two day canoe trip and wild camp on the River Wye - Glasbury to Bredwardine in a Hou 13." I actually got out of the river at Bredwardine, it was fairly steep, but not really hard. I can't comment on the ingress/egress at Bridge Sollers. I passed under the bridge this last trip, but didn't really give it much consideration. There's another video trip of mine on the Wye "back on the wye" which documents my paddle from Hereford to Hoarwithy a couple of years back. It's all good though, the Wye is a beautiful river, not much to dislike (apart from uptight landowners that is).

[@TheKayakCrew]

@@MrAndyballard Thanks, I will check out your Glasbury to Bredwardine video. I may try and finish the Wye in 3 rather than 4 paddles. I was now thinking Whitney to Byford (11.5 miles), Byford to Hereford (11.5 miles) and Hereford to Holme Lacy (8.5 miles). More difficult in the Winter because it's dark by 16:30 but if I start early enough then I should manage it. As you say, access on/off the river is always an issue with the Wye, shame really because it's an ideal paddling river.

[@MrAndyballard]

@@TheKayakCrew that's a good plan I reckon, 10-11 miles a day is just right in my books. Some paddlers go at it hammer & tongs but why? surely it's a time to slow down and appreciate the wonderful scenery?

[@Breadgoods]

Thanks for these great travel docs. I'm hoping to do this trip with my partner on a (sturdy) inflatable kayak in the coming weeks. We're fit but new to kayaking though. Would you recommend it?

[@MrAndyballard]

I would recommend it Joe, (highly). But bear in mind, that the Wye is currently at 0.3m level... VERY low indeed. You might scrape through some rapids in places but you'll be grounded in other spots for sure. It's quite dire, they have stopped fishermen fishing because fish haven't got enough water. I'd wait until we have some rain.

[@Breadgoods]

@@MrAndyballard thanks for the advice! Yes I was worried seeing all the reservoir photos. Will keep that in mind...

[@pipins3616]

Done this three or four times , the trip just keeps giving

[@MrAndyballard]

Yes! this is my third time I believe, twice with Wol, once on my own. The middle Wye is an amazingly peaceful stretch of water, it does give!

[@pipins3616]

@@MrAndyballard seem to remember there was a spot on the bank full of Sand Martins, also the pub the yew tree inn at Preston on Wye, used to do a canoeists brunch. Happy memory’s been about ten years since my last trip. This brings it all back well done

[@MrAndyballard]

@@pipins3616 Yep, we passed that bank, in fact the sand martins were swarming around my head, I forgot to mention that! An absolute cloud of them... a beautiful trip for sure.

[@nigelpearson9101]

Lovely film, really captured the tranquility of the river. My only observation would be the lamentable failure to take proper glassware from which to drink your red wine…maybe even a decanter next time, eh? 😉

[@MrAndyballard]

Lamentable indeed ! that gave me a laugh Nigel, yes, very remiss of us, a decanter next time will be in order sir.

[@exillionXLR]

Love your Wye videos Andy. Next trip I think I'll take a leaf out of your book and just take my time :)

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers! yes, take your time, what's the rush? interestingly it was the hire boats we spotted that were paddling downstream like fury, odd!

[@exillionXLR]

@@MrAndyballard Just got back from my first hire trip from Hoarwithy to Symonds and they give you a 4:30pm curfew which might explain the rush of the hire boats. I've made the Glasbury to Redbrook trip multiple times over three days and it's always a mental rush to get there. Next time, a much shorter and slower paddle I think.

[@MrAndyballard]

@@exillionXLR Curfew? lordy me, that sounds hellish, best to do it in your own boat for sure. I'm told that there is a real issue with access at Glasbury right now, a lawyer from London is chucking his weight around making life difficult for paddlers launching at the scout hut after he bought the fishing rights on a stretch downstream from Glasbury.

[@exillionXLR]

@@MrAndyballard There is mate. We had to launch from Hay last year instead because Glasbury wasn't letting people launch.

[@shellyperkinswildlifeart]

Lovely Video Andy, just wondering, do you think this route would be safe for SUP'ers? my friend and I are thinking of taking the same route this may on our boards. I can see there are small rapids in places.

[@MrAndyballard]

I reckon it would be perfect for an SUP Shelly. Depends on how much stuff you can carry on your board and where/how you'd like to camp. Plenty of tucked away spots 😉 Yes, there are a few places with moving white water, but nothing too challenging. May will be beautiful on the Wye, not too many people from the hire companies, I'd love to do another trip in May.

[@BillyGoatScruff1000]

Awesome! Will be doing from preston campsite to hereford in march as were camping there and the full trip you did in august. Do your canoes have a rib on the bottom or are they flat?

[@MrAndyballard]

Flat bottoms! Lovely stretch of river, you'll love it.

[@BillyGoatScruff1000]

@@MrAndyballard Great stuff, I have no doubt! Might just get tipped as the bottom has a rib but itll be reet :D

[@MrAndyballard]

@@BillyGoatScruff1000 if you check out one of my other Wye trips here on my channel, I did get tipped in a rib bottomed boat. They are unpredictable in strong currents and that's why I tipped. I got quite a ducking. This one: "River Wye canoe trip, wild camping, 4 day paddle from Glasbury to Hereford"

[@BillyGoatScruff1000]

@@MrAndyballard Hiya Andy, yeah it has a rib unfortunately. We are doing from preston campsite to hereford in may with the ribbed one, hope its a bit more forgiving than upstream, but for the 3 day one in august we will probably look at selling it for a flat bottom canoe. Thanks Ill check that one out too! :D

[@tommyhanrahan524]

Loved the comment highlighting the effect of animal agriculture on beautiful wild spaces. Best way to combat the effects is dont eat chicken or eggs👍. Great video, so beautiful, like being there.

[@MrAndyballard]

Some stretches of the river were so green with algae it was like paddling through pea soup. Other stretches were relatively clear. Some chicken framers are trying to make a difference reducing their run off with ‘borders’ or ‘corridors’ adjacent to their farms. It's going to take a concerted effort to clean up this river. Thanks for watching.

[@rattytattyratnett]

What boats are you paddling?

[@MrAndyballard]

Green one: 13' ft Hou, (mine) red one: 17' ft Bell chestnut prospector (my mates)

[@samuelread1962]

Hi Andy, First off, I want to commend you on the beautiful footage and editing in this video. However, I feel compelled to address your comments condemning chicken farmers. This seems to conflict with the otherwise peaceful and tranquil nature of your video. While I do not condone pollution in any form, it's disappointing to see all chicken farmers condemned in a public comment, especially when many likely share your environmental views. No one wants to be judged by the poorest examples of their profession, and many farmers go to great lengths to benefit the environment. In a previous comment, you mentioned that "it will take a concerted effort" to address these issues. I think this is a valid point, and mutual support and constructive feedback are much more beneficial than broad criticism. With regard to wild camping, with social media and local groups, it's easy to contact local farmers. Many are open to discussions, especially if approached respectfully. Responsible wild camping causes very little damage, but there are often unseen risks or reasons a landowner might request no camping or an alternative camp site, such as livestock or safety concerns. Overall, I am not condemning you but ask that in the future, you consider how comments seen by over 9,000 viewers might negatively impact those striving to make a positive difference. Thank you for understanding.

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for watching Samuel. I watched a documentary on how polluted the river Wye was shortly before I went on this trip and it kind of fired me up so I was a bit ‘antsy’ about pollution issues from the start. The Wye is basically dead in some places (according to the documentary). This is due to phosphates being discharged into the river apparently. I didn’t wish to condemn all farmers, far from it, I eat chicken myself, so therefore I am part of the problem am I not? It would be somewhat hypocritical of me to moan about the waste from chicken farms and then chow down on some barbecued chicken wings wouldn’t it? Farmers are coming in for a lot of criticism lately and believe me as a carnivore I am one to fight their corner . I am FULLY behind their fight to remain viable and resist the pressure from Govs and the World Economic Forum to basically ‘see them off’ But that’s a subject for another conversation. Believe me, it’s happening and most of our docile and complacent population know nothing about it. I could go on. I love the countryside, I feel I belong to it, I was brought up in the West Country, I NEVER litter or foul it in any way. So a night in some concealed spot on the river bank is a joyful experience to me and like the photo in the video said: ‘leave no trace’. No-one would know we’d been there. Again, wild camping is a contentious and hot topic, I’m not even going to try to address the subject of trespass and tort. It goes back centuries and it’s way too big a subject for me here. The land once belonged to everyone, until the commons was stolen from the people. I’m rambling a bit, but thanks for stopping by, farmers are an important part of our country and long may they remain so, after all: NO FARMERS, NO FOOD! I don’t want to be forced to eat insects and lab grown fake meat (the agenda pushed by the WEF as mentioned above). May be a subject for you to dive into, there’s lots of info out there.

[@samuelread1962]

Thanks for your reply Andy. I am a bit 'ansty' about the opinions of farmers so I'm guilty of the same thing 😅. Really appreciate your well informed response. I'm relieved your comment doesn't reflect your overall opinion. I hope you continue to enjoy your trips and make your great content. All the best 👍

[@ottconsulting7]

Why does your mate have no buoyancy aid?

[@MrAndyballard]

Because it's a free world (mostly) and he chooses to take the risk I guess. He can swim - the Wye is not a dangerous river on the whole.

[@ottconsulting4499]

I get that but it’s a bad example to newbies. I got into bad trouble on the Thames last year, spent nearly an hour in a sinking inflatable in a very fast moving current. If I’d have gone in without an aid it wouldn’t have been good.

[@MrAndyballard]

yeah fair enough@@ottconsulting4499 . If there's a fast flowing current a BA is invaluable. I wear one on most sections of fast water. On a calm shallow river I sometimes take it off, depends on how I'm feeling.

[@stevereed9391]

What a great three days, thank you you two , loved the salmon photo bomb, never know what’s round the next bend , keep on going 👍