At a glance
North Wales has an exceptional concentration of waterfalls — Pistyll Rhaeadr (80m, Seven Wonders of Wales) is the tallest in England and Wales; Swallow Falls near Betws-y-Coed is the most visited; Aber Falls in the Carneddau provides a 2-mile free walk to a 37-metre cascade. Waterfalls are at their most impressive in autumn and winter after rainfall; summer visits may find lower flow but more accessible paths.
The Best North Wales Waterfalls
Pistyll Rhaeadr — 80m single drop into the Disgynfa pool; Seven Wonders of Wales; near Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant in the Berwyn Hills. Access: 10 minutes from the car park (small charge); a café operates at the car park in season. The most dramatic waterfall in North Wales and genuinely one of the finest in Britain — the single free fall of 80 metres, followed by a natural arch and a second fall, is a remarkable sight at any season.
Swallow Falls (Rhaeadr Ewynnol) — series of cascades on the River Llugwy, 2 miles west of Betws-y-Coed on the A5. Small admission charge for the main viewing platform. The most accessible major waterfall in North Wales — a 5-minute walk from the road — and the most visited. At its best after heavy rain; the summer flow can be disappointing in dry years.
Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr) — 37m falls in the Carneddau foothills above Abergwyngregyn. 2-mile walk from the village car park (free walk, car park payable). The finest free waterfall walk in North Wales — the valley approach is excellent walking with mountain views, and the falls themselves are impressive at full flow in winter.
Conwy Falls — dramatic gorge falls on the upper River Conwy, 4 miles south of Betws-y-Coed on the A5. Small admission charge for the access path. A short walk from the road; the falls drop through a narrow rock gorge in a sequence of cascades. A café operates at the car park in season.
Dolgoch Falls — 3-section waterfall system in the Dysynni Valley near Tywyn; 1.5-mile walk through wooded gorge from the car park (charge). Free admission to the falls; the walk through the fern-draped gorge is one of the finest short waterfall walks in Wales.
Ceunant Mawr, Llanberis — 27m waterfall 15 minutes walk from Llanberis village; free access; impressive in winter flow; the best urban waterfall walk in North Wales.
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Frequently asked questions
Pistyll Rhaeadr — at 80 metres (262 feet) the tallest single-drop waterfall in Wales and England — is the most impressive waterfall in North Wales and one of the Seven Wonders of Wales. It lies in the Berwyn Hills southwest of Oswestry, in the far southeast of the region. The walk from the car park to the base of the falls is 10 minutes. Swallow Falls (Rhaeadr Ewynnol) near Betws-y-Coed is the most visited waterfall in North Wales — accessible, dramatic, and close to the main tourist routes — but smaller in scale than Pistyll Rhaeadr.
Yes — Swallow Falls (Rhaeadr Ewynnol) charges a small admission fee (approximately £1–£2 per person as of 2024) for access to the main viewing platform adjacent to the A5. The falls are partially visible without paying from the road bridge nearby. The falls are located 2 miles west of Betws-y-Coed on the A5 and are accessible without a car from the village by walking or cycling along the riverbank. The viewing platform gives the best perspective on the series of cascades as the River Llugwy drops through a series of gorge sections.
Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr — "great waterfall") is a 37-metre waterfall in the Carneddau foothills above the village of Abergwyngregyn, on the A55 between Bangor and Conwy. The walk from the car park in Abergwyngregyn village to the base of the falls is 2 miles (40 minutes each way) through river valley and open hillside. Admission is free. The falls are particularly impressive in winter or after heavy rainfall when the stream is in full flow. A second, smaller falls (Rhaeadr Bach) is visible from the path on the approach.
Yes — the Llanberis area has several accessible waterfalls. The Ceunant Mawr waterfall (also called "Llanberis Falls") is 15 minutes walk from the village centre and falls 27 metres into a gorge below the mountain railway. It is free to visit and accessible year-round. The Snowdon Watkin Path (accessed from Nantgwynant) passes several impressive cascades in the lower valley section. The approach to Snowdon via any of the mountain paths crosses multiple streams and gorge sections with smaller waterfalls visible from the paths.
Dolgoch Falls in the Dysynni Valley near Tywyn has pools at the base suitable for wild swimming in summer; the walk through the gorge is 1.5 miles return and free from the car park (small car park charge). Rhaiadr Du (Black Waterfall) above Ganllwyd near Dolgellau has accessible pools below the falls. Several Snowdonia streams accessible from the Watkin Path valley (Nantgwynant) and the Glaslyn river (Beddgelert area) have swimming holes. Wild swimming at waterfalls carries safety risks — always check depth before entering and never swim alone in remote locations.
Waterfalls in North Wales are at their most impressive in autumn and winter (October to March) when rainfall is highest and the stream volumes are at peak. Summer visits (July–August) often find the falls at their lowest flow, particularly if preceded by a dry spell. Spring (March–May) can be excellent after winter rainfall has filled the streams. Swallow Falls and Aber Falls are popular year-round but significantly less crowded on weekday morning visits outside school holidays.