North Wales has a reputation for rain, and rightly so. But what if I told you – the weather is not something to complain about, it is something to be grateful for. Because without all that rainfall tumbling down from the Eryri peaks, we would not have some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the entire UK sitting right on our doorstep.
Whether you are planning a weekend break or a longer stay in the region, a waterfall walk should be at the top of your list. Here are some of the best the area has to offer.
Note: All waterfalls are dangerous, please do not go swimming in any of the waterfalls in this region. The plungepools can be extremely cold and turbulent.
Aber Falls, Abergwyngregyn
If you only visit one waterfall in North Wales, make it Aber Falls. Known in Welsh as Rhaeadr Fawr, which translates as “big waterfall”, it stands at 37 metres and sits at the head of the beautiful Aber Valley in the northern reaches of Eryri National Park. The walk from the car park in Abergwyngregyn is well maintained and suitable for most fitness levels, following a gradual path through open valley and light woodland before the falls come dramatically into view. The approach alone is worth the trip, with the Carneddau mountains framing the valley on either side.
Parking costs around £3 and is cash only. Go early at weekends in summer as the car park fills fast.
Swallow Falls, Betws-y-Coed
Just outside the popular village of Betws-y-Coed sits Rhaeadr Ewynnol, better known as Swallow Falls. The name translates as “foaming waterfall” and it lives up to every syllable. The River Llugwy narrows sharply before crashing through a rocky chasm in a sequence of powerful cascades that you can hear long before you see them. Entry to the viewing platform costs £2 per person and the whole experience takes no more than half an hour, making it an easy addition to any day out in the area.
For a free alternative, park near the Ty Hyll cafe and walk half a mile downstream along the north bank for a different view of the falls without the entry fee.
Dolgoch Falls, Tywyn
Further south along the coast, Dolgoch Falls is a series of three waterfalls set deep within a wooded gorge in the Talyllyn Valley. The circular walk linking all three levels is just one mile and is well signposted, making it a manageable half morning even with young children in tow. The lower falls are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and the whole gorge has a wonderfully remote feel despite being just four miles from the beach at Tywyn.
The most memorable way to arrive is by steam train. The historic Talyllyn Railway stops at Dolgoch Station right beside the falls entrance, making this one of the most characterful days out in the whole of North Wales.
Rhaeadr Ceunant Mawr, Llanberis
Just above the town of Llanberis sits one of the most underrated waterfalls in the region. Rhaeadr Ceunant Mawr, the “waterfall of the great ravine”, drops over 100 feet across two levels into the gorge below. The walk from the village is short and the falls are free to visit, making this an easy first stop before exploring the rest of Llanberis and the shores of Llyn Padarn. This waterfall is very dangerous so make sure you do not go swimming here or at any of the other waterfalls.
Planning Your Base
All four of these waterfalls are within an hour’s drive of Caernarfon, which makes the town an ideal starting point for a waterfall touring itinerary. If you are looking for somewhere to stay, the Black Boy Inn is a historic historic snowdonia hotel with restaurant and bar built in 1522 inside the castle town walls, putting you within easy reach of everything the region has to offer. From Llanberis to Betws-y-Coed, the falls are all straightforward day trips with time to spare for everything else North Wales does so well.
Pack a waterproof, bring good boots, and do not let the forecast put you off. In North Wales, a rainy day at a waterfall is often better than a sunny one anywhere else.
