In a country known for its breathtaking landscapes and coastlines, there’s one feature of Wales that continues to attract visitors from all over the world: its majestic waterfalls. As a mountainous country with a wet climate year-round, Wales has hundreds of waterfalls, ranging from popular tourist hotspots to hidden locations wrapped in legend and folklore. Whether you’re looking for an impressive six-metre cascade or a secret babbling brook, the waterfalls of Wales are a must-see for nature enthusiasts looking to marvel at these natural structures.
famous wales waterfaLls and hiking trails to reach them
Whilst there are hundreds of different waterfalls throughout Wales, these are some of the most famous waterfalls in the country, and the hiking trails you need to take to reach them.
devil’s bridge falls, cambrian mountains
Located just outside Aberystwyth, this natural landmark is not only stunning but steeped in local legend and history too. The name originates from the tale of a local woman who managed to outwit the Devil, convincing him to build a bridge in order to save her livestock. As well as being home to a spectacular waterfall, the site also contains the world-famous Three Bridges, each one constructed directly above the other. It’s here that you’ll find the legendary Devil’s Bridge, next to the Mynach, a 91m tall waterfall, and one of the most impressive natural locations in Wales.
hiking trail
To access the falls and the bridges, visitors are required to pay a small fee (prices vary according to the season and the preferred route). Whilst there are multiple routes starting from the visitors’ centre, and incorporating lots of different elements of the local area, this route will take you closest to the falls themselves and is only 15 minutes long. It’s worth noting that there are sharp inclines and declines along the way, making it unsuitable for all walking abilities.
- From the visitors’ centre, take the Mynach Falls route downhill along a quiet trail through the forest. Along the way, you’ll get partial views of the Vale of Rheidol.
- After roughly 15 minutes, you’ll reach a lookout giving you an impressive view of the falls in all its glory.
- Once you’ve taken plenty of pictures and enjoyed the viewpoint to its fullest, continue along the descending trail, taking extra care the steeper it gets.
- The descent leads into concrete steps, known as Jacob’s Ladder. Continue down the Jacob’s Ladder until you reach the bottom.
- At the bottom, cross a bridge over the river, begin the second half of the loop, and start the steep ascent back to the other side of the gorge. Along the way, be sure to stop and admire the viewpoints of the different angles of the waterfall.
rhaeadr ddu, south snowdonia
Sat on the River Gamlan, Rhaeadr Ddu is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Wales. Cascading from a height of 18m, the surrounding pool feels like a hidden oasis amongst lush Welsh greenery. The falls form part of the Coed Ganllwyd National Nature Reserve, found on the National Trust’s Dolmelynllyn estate. If you’re planning on visiting the falls, be sure to factor in enough time to explore the rest of the estate and the surrounding area.
hiking trail
The route to reach Rhaeadr Ddu is moderately difficult, taking around an hour and a half to complete, and covering roughly two miles.
- Start from the Dolmelynllyn car park in Ganllwyd, and cross the road to head towards the Iron Village hall.
- From here, follow the road that runs alongside the river, before crossing a stone bridge and then a wooden bridge.
- After crossing the wooden bridge, turn right, and you’ll find the Rhaeadr Ddu waterfall.
blue pool, brecon beacons
Following the flow of the Taf Fechan, the Blue Pool, locally translated at Pwll Glas, is the perfect place to stop for a picturesque picnic. Or, if you’re feeling brave, you could even take a wild swim in the crystal clear waters, free of rocks and other wild swimming hazards. There are plenty of great hikes to be taken around the nature reserve that surrounds the Taf Fechan, including one that takes you past the remains of Morlais Castle.
hiking trail
- After parking along the roadside near the Aberglais Inn, walk down the road towards the bridge over the river.
- Once you reach the bridge, follow the path on the right bank of the river to reach the Blue Pool.
- You can follow the path for as long as you prefer, and after you’ve enjoyed the falls, you could take a route along the right over the Pontsarn Viaduct.
hidden waterfalls in wales
As well as more popular locations, Wales has plenty of hidden waterfalls that lie off the beaten path. Here’s how to find and enjoy these more secluded spots.
rhaeadr y parc mawr, snowdonia
Otherwise known as the Grey Mare’s Tail, Rhaeadr y Parc Mawr forms part of a series of waterfalls, found in Snowdonia National Park. Even though there are plenty of waterfalls for visitors to enjoy, the main attraction in this area is the twin cascades, found in a secluded part of the park.
hiking trail
Despite how easy this spot is to find, Rhaeadr y Parc Mawr seems to be a somewhat forgotten waterfall in Wales and normally lacks tourists and other visitors. Surrounded by ancient woodland and trees, this waterfall is well worth the hour-and-a-half hike to find it.
- Park your car at the Gwydir Mawr and Bach car park, then set out on foot, following back along the road you just came in on.
- Eventually, you’ll reach a crossroads. Go straight over, and past the house that appears on the right.
- Down this path, you’ll cross a small bridge. After this bridge, you’ll come across another waterfall. Once you’ve stopped to admire it and take some pictures, keep on walking, looking out for the small kissing gate on your right.
- Pass through the gate, and follow the steps down to find the Grey Mare’s waterfall.
sgwd yr eira, brecon beacons
Welsh for the Waterfall of Snow, this waterfall has been known to look like a complete curtain of water, particularly during rainier seasons. Not only is this waterfall impressive to see, but it also has a path that takes you right behind the cascade, making it a must-see as part of your waterfall tour of Wales.
hiking trail
The route to find this waterfall is part of a longer 6.5km loop that includes three other waterfalls that are well worth the hike: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Y Pannwr. But to reach Sgwd Yr Eira in particular, here’s the route to follow:
- Park in the Craig-y-Ddinas car park, and follow the route out of the car park along the river.
- Continue along the path, until you reach Sgwd yr Eira, and be sure to follow the footpath that goes behind the water too.
the secret waterfall, snowdonia
For a waterfall that is truly off the beaten path, it doesn’t get more secluded than The Secret Waterfall in Snowdonia. Even though there aren’t any signposts to direct you along the way, this waterfall is well worth the search and is normally empty of crowds, tourists, and visitors.
hiking trail
- Start at the car park in the centre of the village Abergyngolyn, opposite the village shop.
- From there, travel up the road behind the houses until you reach the trail, surrounded by thick forests and running alongside a river.
- Continue on this path until you find a bridge. From here, take a left, and begin the ascent up an elevated path until you reach a kissing gate, and pass onto the road again.
- Follow this road until you reach a fork, and take the only trail that’s not big enough to fit a car through.
- Continue along this trail until you reach the slate mine, and head towards the first quarry hole on your left. 100m on from here, you’ll see a pile of slate to the left that has a trail through it. Follow this, and use your ears to find the secret waterfall.
best times to visit wales waterfalls
Whilst the majority of Welsh waterfalls are open to visitors year-round, there are some best times of the year to see them in all their glory. Here are some things to bear in mind, depending on which season you’re planning on visiting Wales in.
summer
Believe it or not, summer may not be the best time to visit Welsh waterfalls. Even though the temperatures are higher, making those dips in waterfalls and natural pools all the more inviting, the summer periods are often drier, resulting in slower flow and often dried-up falls. Not to mention how crowded these sites will be with other tourists and visitors.
autumn
As the forests change colour, Autumn can be one of the best times of the year to see Welsh waterfalls. With the wetter Autumn season, the waterfalls are more powerful, and at their best. In addition, during the colder season, waterfalls are less visited by tourists, meaning you’re less likely to come across crowds. However, as the weather turns colder, you might want to take care of narrower paths on the more difficult-to-access waterfalls.
spring
Spring is arguably the season when waterfalls are at their best. Not only is the surrounding nature and wildlife at its most active, but the rainy seasons of spring mean that the waterways have a healthy flow, leading to some stunning waterfalls.
top tip!
In general, it’s best to visit waterfalls in Wales either after or during a period of rainfall.
photography tips for capturing wales waterfalls
If you’re looking to capture Welsh waterfalls at their very best, here are some photography tips.
best practices for waterfall photography
- Use a slow shutter speed: When captured on a regular shutter speed, the photo won’t accurately be able to capture the movement of the water. By using a slower shutter speed, the water appears smooth and blurry, therefore making it more dramatic.
- Use a tripod: If you’re using slow shutter speed over a few seconds, you don’t want the photo to come out blurry. Using a tripod to take a picture of your waterfall avoids camera shake and provides higher-quality results.
- Use protective lenses: Waterfalls release a lot of moisture into the air, so be sure to cover and protect your equipment from water damage, especially if you’re taking photos up close.
ideal times of day for lighting
As well as prepping your equipment properly, you also want to make sure you’re planning your shoot times as best as possible.
- Hitting golden hours: Otherwise known as just after sunrise and just before sunset, golden hours are some of the best times of day to capture waterfalls. The soft lighting at these times avoids dark shadows in the shots and doesn’t create overexposed highlights.
- Wait for a cloudy day: It’s worth waiting until a cloudy day, as light is often softer, meaning you can see the details of the waterfalls in your shot more easily.
- The early bird: Particularly for popular waterfalls and tourist hotspots, setting off earlier in the day lessens the chances of coming across crowds of other people looking to enjoy the tranquillity of a Welsh waterfall too.
Even though we’ve made some recommendations for waterfalls to visit throughout this blog, don’t be afraid to get out there, explore, go beyond the beaten path, and discover waterfalls across all the nooks and crannies of Wales.
Or, if you’re looking for more insider insight into where the best locations for waterfalls are in Wales, get in touch with the Celtic Routes team. We can craft a bespoke self-drive tour itinerary, taking you to some of the most breathtaking natural wonders and waterfalls that Wales has to offer, in your very own Land Rover.
