13. Makwa River North - Rapid View to 'the Culverts'
A GEM...this route is a fine paddle anytime that water levels are high. Easily accessible - this route starts at the bridge in the Village of Rapid View and ends at the three large culverts 10.5 km north. The route starts off in an agricultural landscape which gradually transitions into forest and more steeply defined river banks. A number of residences are also distributed the entire length of the route on both the east and west banks. It is a delightful route in that it gets more exciting with each passing kilometre. In high water, the current flows at 3 km per hour at the start of the route and then at approximately 4.6 km the first set of Class 2 rapids appears. The main attraction of the latter 6 km of the trip is the regularly recurring Class 2 rapids. A strong recommendation is to link up this route ('Gem') with the next route ('Feisty') north of the culverts as one longer, and truly exceptional, kayak route.
Length: ~ 10.5 km
Time of year: All summer when water levels are high (mid-May to late September)
Experience required: Novice to intermediate
Noteworthy features: Frequent Class I / II rapids from 4.6 km to 10.5 km.
Access and parking: Lots of parking just north of the Rapid View bridge - good access to the Makwa River.
Start location: North side of Rapid View bridge.
Take out location: At the three big culverts on main E/W RM road north of Rapid View (turn south just east of the culverts and there is lots of parking space adjacent to the river)
Route location (Google Earth kmz file):
Length: ~ 10.5 km
Time of year: All summer when water levels are high (mid-May to late September)
Experience required: Novice to intermediate
Noteworthy features: Frequent Class I / II rapids from 4.6 km to 10.5 km.
Access and parking: Lots of parking just north of the Rapid View bridge - good access to the Makwa River.
Start location: North side of Rapid View bridge.
Take out location: At the three big culverts on main E/W RM road north of Rapid View (turn south just east of the culverts and there is lots of parking space adjacent to the river)
Route location (Google Earth kmz file):
| makwa_river_north_rapid_view_to_culverts.kmz |