Five Favourite Snowdonia Waterfall Walks
If you’re planning a holiday in Snowdonia/Eryri, walking to a waterfall in our beautiful green hills can be a tranquil or awesome experience depending on the weather! Guests staying in our Snowdonia holiday cottages, glamping and camping accommodation have lots of waterfall walks to explore. Here in the south of Snowdonia National Park, you can also avoid the crowds and discover walks a little more off the beaten track.
Here’s five of our favourites:
Arthog Waterfalls
You can hike from our Snowdonia glamping, camping and holiday cottages at Graig Wen to Arthog Waterfalls.
Afon Arthog drops down from a mountain lake though a ravine to the Mawddach Estuary. Climb steeply up steps through the ancient trees of the Celtic rainforest to find a series of small falls and pools. Look out for rare lichen and fungi on your route.
The circular walk from Graig Wen is around 5 miles and takes about 3 hours.
Pistyll Cain and Rhaeadr Mawddach
Did you know there are several Welsh words for waterfalls?
Rhaeadr – waterfall with wide spread of water Pistyll – waterfall through a narrow ravine
These two epic waterfalls are in the heart of Coed y Brenin forest. They are a wondrous spectacle after heavy rain!
From Tydyyn Gladwys car park follow the forest road north along the river Mawddach in a steep-sided valley surrounded by big trees, towards the waterfalls. Follow the waymarkers along the east side of the river and cross the timber bridge back to the car park.
The 2 1/4 mile trail is nearly all on forest road with one section of very rough private track before you get to the waterfalls and one steep but short climb. There are no steps or stiles and the trail is suitable for pushchairs and mobility scooters. You can also download an audio trail and listen to the history of the Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works.
15-20 minutes drive from Graig Wen or take the No 35 bus from Dolgellau and get off at Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre for a longer walk to the falls through the forest.
Waterfall walks by bus – Rhaeadr Ddu
If you’re choosing to holiday in Wales using sustainable transport, you can reach many waterfall walks by bus. The starting point at Ganllwyd for the walk to Rhaeadr Ddu or the “Black Falls” can be reached using the bus from Dolgellau. You could combine it with the walk to Pistyll Cain above for a full day of chasing waterfalls.
There’s a 2 mile circular walk taking you alongside the river Gamlan, past the huge Rhaeadr Ddu and a stone inscription with a poem inspired by the spirit of the place. Walk back through ancient woodland past dry stone walls dripping with moss.
Parking in Ganllwyd or take the No 35 or T2 Bus from Dolgellau and get off at Ganllwyd for Rhaeadr Ddu.
A waterfall on the wild side – Pistyll Gwyn
Further along the A470, past Coed y Brenin visitor centre, you’ll see the wild and remote Rhinogydd mountain range to the West. Head here for a more remote hike into the hills to find Pistyll Gwyn.
Nant Gwernol and walks from the Talyllyn Steam Railway
If you’re looking for ideas for dog friendly days out on your Wales holiday, then you can combine walkies and a splash in waterfall pools with a ride on the Talyllyn steam railway. Hop on and off the train to explore waterfalls and fern-fringed pools which are great for a cooling dip in warm weather.
Book our Snowdonia holiday cottages, glamping or camping for your guide to these walks and many more
When you book your Snowdonia self catering holiday at our glamping, camping or holiday cottages, we send you a welcome guide with more details on these walks and many other tips for a wonderful holiday in Wales.