At a glance
A 37-metre waterfall in a National Nature Reserve valley below the Carneddau — free, reached by a beautiful 2.5-mile walk from Bont Newydd car park (LL33 0LP, small charge). Best after rain. Allow 2–2.5 hours return.
About Aber Falls — Rhaeadr Fawr
Rhaeadr Fawr — "the Great Falls" — drops 37 metres from the edge of the Carneddau plateau into the Aber valley below, the Afon Rhaeadr Fawr tumbling in a wide white curtain against the dark rock face. It is the tallest accessible waterfall in the northern half of Snowdonia and, unlike many comparable falls in the region, requires a walk of genuine quality to reach — 2.5 miles each way through the Aber National Nature Reserve.
The Aber NNR covers the full valley from the Bont Newydd car park at the valley mouth to the open moorland above. The lower section of the path passes through ancient sessile oak woodland — one of the best remaining examples in North Wales — before the trees give way to open valley floor with the river visible below and the Carneddau ridgeline above. The walk is not technically demanding but rewards the effort with the scale of the final amphitheatre: the falls drop in a wide arc, the valley walls rise steeply on both sides, and a smaller companion fall (Rhaeadr Fach) trickles down the right-hand hillside for contrast.
The valley is a significant wildlife habitat. Summer visitors include pied flycatcher, redstart and wood warbler in the oak woodland; red kite and peregrine are seen regularly overhead. The upland area above the falls is part of the Carneddau — the most extensive mountain plateau in Wales — where feral Welsh Mountain ponies and wild-living cattle graze the moorland.
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Frequently asked questions
The walk from the Bont Newydd car park (LL33 0LP) to Aber Falls is approximately 2.5 miles one way — a 5-mile round trip. The path follows the Afon Rhaeadr Fawr upstream through mixed woodland and open riverside meadow, gaining approximately 180 metres of altitude. The walk takes around 1 hour each way at a comfortable pace, so allow 2–2.5 hours total including time at the falls.
Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr — "the Great Falls") drops approximately 37 metres (120 feet) in a single plunge from the lip of the Carneddau plateau into the valley below. It is the highest accessible waterfall in the northern section of Snowdonia. A smaller companion waterfall, Rhaeadr Fach ("the Little Falls"), is visible on the hillside to the right when facing Rhaeadr Fawr.
The Aber National Nature Reserve covers the valley of the Afon Rhaeadr Fawr — a glacially cut valley descending from the Carneddau plateau above Abergwyngregyn. The NNR protects ancient semi-natural woodland (sessile oak, ash and hazel), species-rich grassland and the upland habitats above. The valley is a stronghold for several woodland birds including pied flycatcher, redstart and wood warbler in summer.
Yes — the walk is a classic family walk. The path is clear, the gradient is moderate and the destination is dramatic. Children generally manage the 2.5-mile walk comfortably. The river crossing near the falls (stepping stones or small footbridge depending on conditions) adds adventure. Wellies or walking boots are recommended as the path can be muddy after rain. The falls are most impressive after wet weather when the flow is high.
The Bont Newydd car park is at the end of a lane from the village of Abergwyngregyn — postcode LL33 0LP. Abergwyngregyn is on the A55 North Wales Expressway between Bangor and Conwy (junction 13). From the A55, follow signs for Abergwyngregyn and then Aber Falls. The lane from the village to the car park is approximately 1 mile; the car park is at a small bridge (Bont Newydd — "New Bridge") over the Afon Rhaeadr Fawr.
Swimming directly at the base of the falls is not recommended — the plunge pool is shallow and the falling water creates strong turbulence. The Afon Rhaeadr Fawr further downstream in the valley has deeper, calmer pools that are used for informal wild swimming. The NNR designation does not prohibit open water swimming, but there is no supervision and the water is cold.