At a glance
The most visited waterfall in Wales — a dramatic series of cascades on the Afon Llugwy just off the A5, 2 miles west of Betws-y-Coed. Adult £2.50. Short path to viewing platforms; no booking needed. LL24 0DW.
About Swallow Falls — Rhaeadr Ewynnol
Swallow Falls — Rhaeadr Ewynnol, "the foaming falls" — is the most visited waterfall in Wales, its position directly beside the A5 trunk road making it one of the most accessible natural spectacles in Snowdonia. The Afon Llugwy descends through a series of cascades and plunge pools within a wooded gorge, the main fall dropping approximately 11 metres into a boiling pool below.
The falls have been a tourist destination since at least the late 18th century, when the completion of Thomas Telford's A5 road brought travellers through the Conwy Valley en route to Holyhead and Ireland. Victorian tourism transformed Betws-y-Coed into a significant resort, and Swallow Falls was always its centrepiece spectacle. The path and viewing platforms have been maintained for visitors ever since.
The falls are most impressive after rain, when the Llugwy runs full and the cascade is at its widest and noisiest. In dry spells the flow reduces considerably — a visit after a wet period gives the best experience. The adjacent Swallow Falls Hotel manages the entrance and car park.
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Frequently asked questions
The Welsh name is Rhaeadr Ewynnol — "the foaming falls". The English name "Swallow Falls" is a mistranslation of the Welsh "Rhaeadr y Wennol" (Swallow Falls), itself probably a corruption of "Rhaeadr Ewynnol". The falls are on the Afon Llugwy, which flows east through the Conwy Valley from the mountains above Capel Curig.
Swallow Falls charges a small admission fee — approximately £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children at April 2026 rates. Payment is at a turnstile at the entrance to the path. The adjacent Swallow Falls Hotel also manages the site.
The path from the entrance to the main viewing platform takes 5 minutes. Most visitors spend 20–40 minutes total, walking between the several platforms and viewpoints along the gorge edge. The falls are impressive in themselves but not extensive — this is a short stop rather than a half-day destination, though it combines well with Betws-y-Coed village and the Fairy Glen (3 miles south) for a longer outing.
Swallow Falls is 2 miles west of Betws-y-Coed village on the A5 toward Capel Curig. Use postcode LL24 0DW. There is limited roadside parking directly at the falls — the main village car parks in Betws-y-Coed are preferable, making the visit part of a broader exploration of the village and valley. A walk from Betws-y-Coed to Swallow Falls along the Llugwy riverbank (rather than the A5 road) takes approximately 45 minutes each way.
Yes — the falls are dramatic after rain at any time of year, and the winter flow is typically the highest. The woodland canopy above the gorge provides some shelter and the path is generally passable year-round. Very cold winters can produce ice formations on the rock faces around the falls. The entrance may be unmanned in winter but the turnstile is still operated.
Betws-y-Coed (2 miles east) is the main tourist village of inland Snowdonia, with cafés, outdoor shops and the Conwy Valley railway. Fairy Glen gorge pool (3 miles south on B5106) makes a natural companion stop. The Miners' Bridge at Pont-y-Pair in Betws-y-Coed is a free waterfall viewpoint in the village itself. The A5 continues west to Capel Curig, starting point for many Snowdonia walks.