At a glance
Ceunant Mawr (LL55 4EL) is a free waterfall and gorge walk in Llanberis, Snowdonia — "Great Gorge" on the Afon Hwch, with Snowdon above. 1–1.5 miles each way from the village, rough path, boots recommended. Allow 1–2 hours. Combine with Electric Mountain, National Slate Museum, Snowdon Mountain Railway and Llyn Padarn for a full day in Llanberis.
About Ceunant Mawr
The Afon Hwch drains the lower slopes of Moel Eilio and the hills above Llanberis before plunging through the gorge of Ceunant Mawr — the Great Gorge — and emptying into Llyn Padarn near the village. The falls within the gorge are modest in size but dramatic in setting: the combination of the wooded gorge, the rocky stream and the overwhelming presence of Snowdon on the skyline above Llanberis makes even this short walk a genuinely memorable experience.
Llanberis is the most complete base for Snowdonia activity in North Wales. The village has the Snowdon Mountain Railway, the National Slate Museum, Electric Mountain (the Dinorwig underground pumped storage power station, with underground tours), Llyn Padarn and the Llanberis Lake Railway — all within easy walking distance of each other. Ceunant Mawr adds a waterfall walk to this concentration of attractions and can be combined with any of them in a single day.
The walk is particularly good in autumn, when the woodland around the gorge turns gold and red and the stream is running strongly after summer's end. In winter, in icy conditions, the falls can freeze partially — a dramatic sight with Snowdon snow-capped above.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Ceunant Mawr ("Great Gorge" in Welsh) is in Llanberis village, at the foot of Snowdon in Snowdonia. The waterfall is on the Afon Hwch, which flows down from the southern slopes of Moel Eilio and joins Llyn Padarn near the village. The walk to the gorge starts from the upper part of Llanberis village — follow the signs or ask locally. Llanberis is served by the Snowdon Sherpa bus network and has car parks in the village centre.
From the village the path to the main viewpoints above the falls is approximately 1–1.5 miles each way, taking 1–2 hours return at a leisurely pace. The walk climbs through woodland before reaching the gorge rim, from which views of the falls below are obtained. The path is rough underfoot and there are steep sections — walking boots are recommended. The full gorge circuit adds distance and interest.
Llanberis has more to offer than almost any other village in Snowdonia. The Snowdon Mountain Railway (from Llanberis station), the National Slate Museum (free entry), Electric Mountain (the underground Dinorwig Power Station), and Llyn Padarn (for walking, swimming and the Llanberis Lake Railway) are all within 1 mile of each other. Add Ceunant Mawr for a waterfall walk and you have a full day without leaving the village and its immediate surroundings.
Ceunant Mawr means "Great Gorge" or "Big Ravine" in Welsh (ceunant = gorge/ravine; mawr = big/great). The gorge is carved by the Afon Hwch (hwch means "sow" — a pig reference found in several Welsh stream names). The waterfall within the gorge is sometimes referred to as Llanberis Falls or Llanberis Waterfall, though Ceunant Mawr is the correct Welsh name.
Yes — Ceunant Mawr is entirely free to visit. The gorge and waterfall are on open-access land and there is no charge for the walk. Car parking in Llanberis is pay-and-display. The Snowdon Sherpa bus from Caernarfon (S1 service) reaches Llanberis at low cost, making this accessible without a car.