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This is another of Dartmoor's less well known rivers, but one which can provide an epic paddle at high water. The Tavy does not have any formal agreement and it is not therefore possible to give access permission to paddle this river. However, you will be very unlikely to encounter opposition to canoeing above Harford Bridge during the game fishing close season, which is 15th October to 1st March, and it is understood that some people do paddle it in spate during the summer months and rarely meet any fishermen. The river should be considered as being in two distinct sections. Hill Bridge to Harford Bridge or Tavistock: Grade 3-5. Above Tavistock, this more interesting section is highly challenging even for experienced paddlers due to a steep gradient, large rocks, trees, dead sheep and all the usual delights of upland rivers. It needs to be fairly high to be paddleable, (i.e. heavy rain within the last 24 hours), and when it is up it is a good grade three or more, depending on level. Inspection is essential in some places. There are real enthusiasts who have carried their boats upstream of Hill Bridge beyond the track at Nat Tor, and found very exciting water, but this is a long carry and it is important to check on the status of the firing range before setting off. At the lower end of this section it is possible to paddle down into Tavistock itself, but there is one enormous weir which is a definite compulsory portage between Harford Bridge and the town, and most of the rest of this section is flat or grade 2 only. Most paddlers therefore egress at the campsite at Harford Bridge, having first checked in with the owners. Vertical drop: 92 metres Distance: 5kms (3.1 miles). Tavistock to the Tidal Estuary Grade 2-3 The section below Tavistock is effectively un-canoeable due to one landowner who makes it quite clear that he will sue canoeists. Despite this very real threat I know of a number of people who have paddled this stretch without challenge and they tell me that it is similar in difficulty to the loop on the Dart, although it may be more technical in places.