Waterfall walks in Wales

Walks with a primary aim of visiting waterfalls. Mostly.

Looking for Waterfall walks in Wales? There are many to choose from, and I have many galleries here which double as partial route guides for the waterfalls I have visited. If you're just looking for somewhere to get started, I have prepared simplified route guides for the most popular waterfall walks in Waterfall Country (see the Four Waterfalls and Elidir Trail sections), part of the Fforest Fawr mountain range in the Brecon Beacons National Park, in South Wales - by far the most popular place for waterfall walks in Wales. For the others, pick an appropriate gallery or route guide, and get walking.

Specials

Ystradfellte

See the Four Waterfalls.

Pontneddfechan

See the Elidir Trail, Four Waterfalls or Sychryd Gorge.

Four Waterfalls - Afon Mellte and Afon Hepste (including Sgwd Clun Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, Sgwd yr Eira, Cilhepste Falls, The Sheep Dip, Ogof Tarddiant Hepste)

Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Elidir Trail - Nedd Fechan and Afon Pyrddin (including Pump Pwll, Sgwd Gwladus/Lady Falls, Craig Cilfach-bronwydd, Sgwd Einion Gam, Horseshoe Falls/Sgwd y Bedol, Sgwd Ddwli Isaf, Sgwd Ddwli, Cwm Pwll-y-Rhyd)

Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Sychryd Gorge (including Sychryd Cascades/Sgydau Sychryd, Pwll y Berw, Sychryd Waterfall, Pwll y Crochan, Pwll-Du, Pwll Milast-fach)

Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

North Ystradfellte (including Afon Llia, Dog Pool, Afon Dringarth, V Falls)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Nant Llech (including Sgwd Henrhyd, Needle Falls)

Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

South Black Mountain (including Sgwd Ddu, Joe's Waterfall, Nant y Llyn, Nant Tawe Fechan Falls, Llynfell Falls, Pwll-yr-Wydden, Afon Twrch)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Glynhir (including Glynhir Waterfall, The Cascade)

South Wales.

Nant Crew and Nant Ddu

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Glyn Tarell and Blaen Taf Fawr

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Cwm Llwch (including Ffrwd-grech Waterfall)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Taf Fechan and Merthyr Tydfil (including Pontsarn Blue Pool/Pwll Glas, Cyfarthfa Pwll Glas, Pwll Annie)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Blaen-y-Glyn (including Caerfanell Falls, Nant Bwrefwr, Torpantau Falls)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Dyffryn Crawnon (including Pistyll Crawnon, Pyrgad Falls)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Usk River (including Mill Falls, Spuhler's Folly/Pwll yr Hesg)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Clydach Gorge (including Devil's Waterfall/Pwll Cwn, Pwll Crochan/Clydach Lower Waterfall, Pwll Rhys, Pistyll Mawr/Coal Tar Cave Resurgence Waterfall, Cwm Nantmelyn Waterfall, Ogof Clogwyn, Waterfall Cave Resurgence Waterfall, Button's Waterfall, Cwm Dyar Waterfalls, The Polo Mint, Clydach Tributary Waterfalls)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Llangatwg Escarpment (including Eglwys Faen Waterfall Entrance)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Black Mountains (including Nant Bwch)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Pwll-y-Wrach (including Pwll-y-Wrach, Pwll-y-Wrach Lower Waterfall, Cwm Trappi Waterfalls)

Brecon Beacons National Park, Mid Wales.

North Hirwaun (including Llech Sychryd)

Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

Cynon Valley and Ynysybwl (including Berw Ddu, Pwll-y-Gerwyn/Gadlys Falls, Pistyll Goleu)

South Wales Valleys.

Blaenrhondda (including Rhondda Fawr Waterfall, Nant Melyn Waterfall, Nant Carnfoesen Waterfall)

South Wales Valleys.

Blaencwm (including Pen Pych waterfall/Berw Wion, Berw Nant yr Ychen/Virgin Falls, Nant y Gwair Falls)

South Wales Valleys.

Ogmore Valley (including Tarren Rhiw-maen Falls)

South Wales Valleys.

Glyncorrwg (including Twyn y Crug Waterfall, Corrwg Fechan Falls, Corrwg Falls, Nant Meliorath Falls, Nant Cwm-cas Falls, Nant yr Allor Waterfall)

South Wales Valleys.

Glyn-neath (including Sgwd yr Argoed, Blaenant y Gwyddyl)

South Wales Valleys.

Melincourt Falls/Sgwd Rhyd-yr-Hesg

Waterfall Country, South Wales Valleys.

Aberdulais Falls

Waterfall Country, South Wales Valleys.

Neath (including Clydach Falls/Sgwd Clydach)

South Wales Valleys.

Lower Wye Valley (including Cleddon Falls/Rhaeadr Caledan)

Wye Valley AONB, South Wales.

Vale of Glamorgan (including Cwm Mawr Waterfall)

Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales.

Pembrokeshire Coast (including Dwfr Ddisgynfa Cwm-du, Pen Pistyll/Pistyll Brynach, Aber Fforest Waterfall)

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, West Wales.

Cardigan (including Tresaith Waterfall/Gwalia Falls, Penbryn Waterfall, Y Gerwn, Glangraig Waterfall, Cenarth Falls, Ffynone Waterfall)

West Wales.

Llandovery (including Cwm Rhaeadr Waterfall, Rhaeadr Rhosan, Merchon Falls, Pwll Uffern-Gothi, Pwll-Uffern, Sgwd Wen, Pwll y March, Sgwd y Ffrwd, Nant Ystalwyn Waterfall)

Mid Wales.

Mynydd Epynt (including Ffrwd Wen, Pwll Ffrwd)

Mid Wales.

Builth Wells (including Salmon Pool, Craig Pwll-du, Llanedw Falls)

Mid Wales.

Radnor Forest (including Water Break-its-neck/Dŵr-Torri-Gwddf - Black Brook, Water-break-its-neck - Llugwy, Washpool Falls)

Mid Wales.

Rhayader (including Rhaeadr Gwy, Nant Gwynllyn Falls, Nant y Sarn Falls)

Mid Wales.

Elan Valley (including Ciloerwynt Falls, Ciloerwynt Lower Falls)

Mid Wales.

Ystwyth (including Grogwynion Falls, Nant y Berws Falls, Rhaeadr Peiran, Cavern Cascade, Mossy Seat Falls, Ffrwd Milwyn, Nant y Gwaith Falls, Nant Cwm-du Falls, Nant y Cae Falls, Bryn Mor, Ffrwd yr Ydfran)

Mid Wales.

Mynach (including Mynach Falls/Rhaeadr Mynach, Devil's Punchbowl/Crochan y Diafol, Gyfarllwyd Falls, Afon Tuen, Rheidol Falls/Ffrwd-ddu, Nant Bwa-drain, Ffrwd Ferin/Rhaeadr Myherin, Nant Chwarelmelyn, Rhuddnant Gorge Falls)

Mid Wales.

Hafren Forest (including Rhaeadr Blaenhafren, Severn Break-its-neck/Hafren-Torri-Gwddf, Severn Cascades, Afon Hore Waterfall, Craig y Ffrwd, Craig y Llo)

Mid Wales.

Afon Tarennig

Mid Wales.

West Pumlumon (including Craig y Pistyll, Furnace Falls)

Mid Wales.

North Pumlumon (including Pistyll y Llyn, Dulas Gorge Falls, Pistyll Hengwm, Rhaeadr Ddu, Rhaeadr Wen, Cwm Dwfn Falls, Ffrwd Fawr, Nant Ddeiliog Falls, Trawsnant Waterfall)

Mid Wales.

Northern Berwyn (including Rhaeadr Cynwyd, Afon Ceiriog, Glyn Diffwys)

North Wales.

Pistyll Rhaeadr

North Wales.

Southwest Berwyn (including Pistyll Blaen-y-cwm, Pistyll Cablyd, Pistyll y Gyfyng, Afon Erith Falls, Pistyll Rhyd-y-meinciau/Rhiwargor Falls, Pistyll Eunant/Eunant Waterfalls, Pistyll y Ceunant, Pistyll y Graig-ddu)

North Wales.

Dinas Mawddwy (including Maesglase Waterfall, Rhaeadr y Carreg Wen, Llaethnant, Pistyll Gwyn - Afon Pumryd, Nant y Cafn Falls, Cwm Cerrig-duon Falls, Craig y Llyn)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales. (Craig y Llyn lies outside the national park.)

Cadair Idris (including Dolgoch Falls Rhaeadr Isaf/Pistyll Arian, Dolgoch Falls Rhaeadr Uchaf, Amarch Fall, Cadair Cataracts, Dulas Falls, Helygog Falls, Torrent Walk, Penrhyn-gwyn, Arthog Waterfalls)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

West Bala (including Pistyll Henfynachlog, Rhaeadr Llechweddfwyalchen, Pistyll Gwyn - Nant-hir, Afon Lliw)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Coed-y-Brenin (including Pistyll Cain, Rhaeadr Mawddach, Llam yr Ewig, Rhaeadr Du/Black Waterfalls - Afon Gamlan, Pistyll Dû, Pistyll Gwyn - Nant Llyn-du)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Southwest Rhinogydd (including Hirgwm Waterfalls, Rhaeadr Nantcol)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Vale of Ffestiniog (including Rhaeadr Cynfal, Rhaeadr y Cwm, Pistyll Gwyn - Nant y Pistyll-gwyn, Rhaeadr Cymerau, Afon Du-bach, Cwmorthin Falls, Rhaeadr Tan-y-grisiau, Maesgwm, Rhaeadr Du - Afon Prysor)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Beddgelert (including Afon Croesor Waterfalls, Afon Cwm Llan Waterfalls, Rhaeadr Cwm Dyli)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Fairy Glen and Upper Afon Conwy (including Conwy Falls/Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd, Machno Falls, Pandy Falls/Penmachno Falls, Pistyll y Pandy, Carreg Ddefod Falls)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Lower Conwy Valley (including Grey Mare's Tail/Rhaeadr y Parc Mawr, Fairy Falls/Rhaeadr y Tylwyth Teg, Afon Ddu, Rhaeadr Porth-llwyd, Afon Dulyn Waterfall, Fairy Glen)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Afon Llugwy (including Cyfyng Falls/Rhaeadr Llygwy/Llygwy Falls, Swallow Falls/Rhaeadr Ewynnol, Pont-y-Pair Falls)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Llanberis (including Ceunant Mawr/Llanberis Falls, Pistyll Gwyn - Afon Las, Diffwys Dwr/Craig y Rhaeadr)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Afon Ogwen (including Rhaeadr Ogwen, Devil's Kitchen/Twll Du, Devil's Appendix, Cwm Cneifion Falls)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Aber Falls (including Rhaeadr Fawr, Rhaeadr Fach/Rhaeadr-bach)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Llŷn Peninsula (including Pistyll y Gaseg, Pistyll Cim)

North Wales.

Afon Aled (including Rhaeadr y Bedd, Llyn yr Oror)

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Rhaeadr Dyserth

North Wales.

Waterfalls that are not included or missing

This page is intended to cover natural waterfalls, not weirs. As a result, sites like the Big Wood Weir in Plas Power Woods, the Horseshoe Falls on the River Dee, the Cup and Saucer Waterfall at Erddig, Felin Newydd Falls on the Afon Rheidol, Dolanog Falls on the Afon Efyrnwy, Pwll y Ddar on the River Neath and Y Rhaeadr Dirgel/Y Rhaeadr Gudd/The Secret Waterfall on the Afon Barlwyd are intentionally ignored.

It is also intended to cover actual waterfalls, not rapids or waves in a river. As a result, sites that are relevant only to canoeists are intentionally ignored. Sites where a house has been named as a waterfall, perhaps due to its proximity to a minor feature in a nearby stream, are also ignored. Examples include Rhaiadr Wnion near Rhydymain and Rhaeadr-du on Nant Rhaeadr near Llyn Gwyddior. Waterfalls that are merely coincidental to a nearby named feature are not covered, unless the waterfall forms a major part of the feature - this means that many named crags that have small waterfalls nearby are not covered. Examples include Craig Fawr near the Teifi Pools.

It is also intended to cover only places where significant amounts of water can be seen to fall, or smaller amounts manage to fall continuously for very long distances. As a result, many ice climbing routes are ignored, as are small streams that tumble down scarps for long distances without breaking into proper waterfalls (such as those in Cwm Idwal).

It is also intended to cover only surface waterfalls, or waterfalls that are on the surface for part of their descent. There are many hundreds of spectacular named underground waterfalls, ranging to at least 30 metres high for single drops (big examples include Swamp Creek in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu and Awe Chasm in Ogof Draenen), and at least 75 metres for multiple drops (such as Pwll Dwfn). These are all intentionally excluded from these listings.

Waterfalls are like fractals; the more detail you look in, the more little waterfalls you will see. Virtually every single mountain stream will have some little waterfalls. The idea of this page is to collect the waterfalls that are really worthy of notice. The general approach used for determining this was:

There are, of course, limitless possibilities, and several areas with many waterfalls have not been covered due to the constraints given above. Examples would include the streams draining the northern scarps of the Brecon Beacons.

Finally, yes, I may have missed important waterfalls that fall into these categories. If you know of one, please contact me using the details on the homepage.

Glossary

The following Welsh words are commonly used when naming waterfalls - they can also follow normal Welsh mutations:

Afon (plural; afonydd)
River.
Berw
Boiling.
Ceunant (plural; ceunentydd)
Gorge.
Carreg (plural; cerrig)
Stone.
Craig, Graig (plural; creigiau)
Crag or rock.
Cwm (plural; cymoedd/cymau)
Valley.
Ddu, Du
Black.
Ffrwd (plural; ffrydiau)
Torrent.
Gwyn, Wyn, Gwen, Wen
White.
Llyn (plural; llynnoedd/llynau)
Lake.
Nant (plural; nentydd)
Stream.
Pistyll (plural; pistylloedd)
Spout waterfall, horsetail waterfall or (rare) spring.
Pwll (plural; pyllau)
Pool.
Rhaeadr (plural; rhaeadrau)
Waterfall or cascade. Sometimes written as "rayadr", "rhayadr", "rhaiadr" or "rhayader", but all of these are now considered incorrect.
Sgwd (plural; sgydiau)
Waterfall or cascade. Sometimes written as "sgŵd" or incorrectly as "scwd" or "scŵd".