9 Best Waterfalls in Snowdonia (2025)

Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr)

The most dramatic waterfall in Snowdonia. 37 metres of thundering water — and barely any effort to reach.

Aber Falls delivers the biggest visual punch of any waterfall in Snowdonia. The water drops 37 metres down a wide cliff face in a single dramatic cascade, and after heavy rain, the power and spray are genuinely impressive. The walk in is flat, easy, and takes under 30 minutes through beautiful meadows and ancient oak woodland. It's the highest-impact, lowest-effort waterfall experience in North Wales.

Pistyll Rhaeadr

The tallest waterfall in Wales at 73 metres. A three-step cascade in a stunning hidden valley.

At 73 metres, Pistyll Rhaeadr is the tallest waterfall in Wales and one of the 'Seven Wonders of Wales.' The water falls in three steps, passing through a natural rock bridge partway down — it's an extraordinary geological feature. The setting in a hidden valley near Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant is remote and deeply atmospheric. George Borrow called it one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, and he wasn't wrong.

Swallow Falls (Rhaeadr Ewynnol)

Snowdonia's most famous waterfall — dramatic, accessible, and worth the small entry fee.

Swallow Falls has been attracting visitors since the Victorian era and it's easy to see why. The River Llugwy crashes through a narrow gorge in a series of cascading steps, creating a constant roar and mist that's impressive year-round. The viewing platforms give close-up views of the falls from multiple angles. It's the most accessible 'impressive' waterfall in Snowdonia, right on the A5 near Betws-y-Coed.

Conwy Falls

A powerful horseshoe falls hidden in ancient woodland. More dramatic than Swallow Falls, less visited.

Conwy Falls is Swallow Falls' more impressive but less famous neighbour, 2 miles south of Betws-y-Coed. The River Conwy drops over a wide horseshoe shelf of rock into a deep, dark pool surrounded by ancient woodland. It's more powerful and atmospheric than Swallow Falls but receives a fraction of the visitors. The viewing point is reached via a short path through the trees. A genuine hidden gem.

Pistyll Cain

A perfect, unspoilt waterfall in the Coed y Brenin forest. The purist's choice.

Pistyll Cain is a beautiful cascade in ancient oak woodland near the Coed y Brenin forest park. What makes it special is the setting — the water drops through a narrow, fern-covered gorge surrounded by moss-draped oaks that feel genuinely primeval. It's off the beaten track, requires a proper walk through the forest, and feels like discovering something rather than visiting a tourist attraction. The nearby gold mines of Gwynfynydd add historical interest.

Ceunant Mawr (Llanberis Falls)

A hidden waterfall 10 minutes from Llanberis that most Snowdon hikers walk straight past.

Ceunant Mawr is a 13-metre waterfall hidden in a wooded gorge just 10 minutes walk from the centre of Llanberis — the main base for Snowdon. Despite this, most visitors to Llanberis never discover it. The path leads through a narrow, atmospheric gorge to the falls, which drop into a dark plunge pool. It's the perfect pre-or-post-Snowdon activity, especially on rainy days when the falls are at their most powerful.

Dolgoch Falls

Three cascades in a fairy-tale gorge — best reached by narrow-gauge steam train.

Dolgoch Falls is a series of three waterfalls in a narrow, mossy gorge in the Dysynni Valley. The setting is enchanting — stone bridges, fern-draped walls, and the sound of water everywhere. The Talyllyn Railway (a heritage narrow-gauge steam train) stops at Dolgoch station, making the approach one of the most charming in Wales. The path through the gorge visits all three falls and is manageable for most walkers.

Rhaeadr Cynfal (Cynfal Falls)

A hidden waterfall in an ancient gorge near Ffestiniog — with a pillar called the 'Pulpit of Hugh Llwyd.'

Rhaeadr Cynfal is hidden in the Ceunant Cynfal gorge near Llan Ffestiniog — a SSSI ancient woodland gorge that feels genuinely magical. The waterfall drops into a dark gorge with a distinctive rock pillar known as Huw Llwyd's Pulpit (supposedly used by a 17th-century magician). The walk along the gorge is atmospheric, with ancient oaks, mosses, and ferns creating a cathedral-like canopy. Very few tourists find this place.

Watkin Path Waterfalls (Cwm Llan)

Cascading falls on the Watkin Path to Snowdon — free bonus drama on Wales's toughest Snowdon route.

The Watkin Path to Snowdon passes through Cwm Llan, where a series of cascades tumble down from the mountains above. These aren't named waterfalls with viewing platforms — they're wild, mountain waterfalls that you walk alongside as part of the Snowdon approach. After rain, the whole cwm comes alive with water. You don't need to summit Snowdon to enjoy them — the lower section to the Gladstone Rock is a moderate walk with excellent waterfall views.