Including Rhaeadr Du - Afon Prysor.
From Cardiff, take the A470 past Dolgellau until it turns right off itself, and the road ahead becomes the A487. Continue along the A487 and take the first left, into Gellilydan. From Gellilydan, almost immediately take the first left. Follow it for 1.5 miles, until the second gate bars the road (the second gate is between stone walls, and may have been left open). Immediately after the second gate, park in the parking area on the other side. SH 6641 3928.
Walk back along the road through the gate, and after just over 100 metres, take the path through the kissing gate on the right. Follow it down to the bottom of the field, swinging left a little to reach the entrance to the forest. Follow the path that remains the lowest in the valley, heading upstream (to the left when looking at the forest from the field). It passes over some significant drops, so take care. After about 300 metres, a path heads down to the right, via some steps, to the massively oversized plunge pool of the Rhaeadr Du waterfall. Be aware that the river can flash flood when water is released from the reservoir upstream, so in all conditions, keep clear of the river bed.
I have not followed any paths beyond here, but if you would like to visit the upper part of the waterfall, return to the top of the steps, and turn right onto the continuing main path. After it swings right around the waterfall's plunge pool, it reaches a wall. At this point, an extremely slippery path down to the right leads to the waterslides above the waterfall. I cannot offer any suggestions for extending the route, and you are encouraged to use a map and your own initiative.
| Waterfall | Grid reference | GPS coordinates | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhaeadr Du | SH 66672 38833 | 52.930297°N, 3.985000°W | |
Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this description, neither the author nor his fellow walkers can accept responsibility for loss or injury arising from any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in this description. This description is intended as a guide only, and you should select a route to suit your own abilities, at your own discretion. Ability requirements are a guide only. Route maps are approximated. You follow this description at your own risk.