Aber Falls Gwynedd
Wander through a lush valley in Snowdonia to discover one of Wales’ most dramatic waterfalls.
Rhaeadr Fawr, known commonly as Aber Falls, lives up to its name. Meaning ‘big waterfall’ in Welsh, it spills over a tree-shrouded ledge in the north of the Carneddau mountains, falling 37m into the river valley below. So powerful are the cascades that they create their own microclimate, filling the air with moisture and offering the humidity required for a range of moss, liverwort, fern and lichen species to flourish.
The fresh growth that appears in the woodlands and grasslands in spring adds to the lushness of the landscape, making it the perfect season to set out on a four-mile circular walk to these spectacular waterfalls.
1 WOODLAND WANDER
Park at Bont Newydd and pass through the kissing gate into Coedydd Aber Nature Reserve. Follow the path beside Afon Rhaeadr-Fawr, where dippers bob on the river boulders, before arriving at a bench embellished with carvings of the local wildlife.
Further on, cross a footbridge and pass through a gate. Bear right alongside oak, birch and hazel woodlands – a good habitat for spring songbirds. At an information board, follow the track ahead.
After a steep section, there are glimpses of the waterfall at the head of the valley. Ignore a path on the left to soon reach the visitor centre.
2 STEEP INCLINE
Continue along the track, passing a fenced-off enclosure containing the foundations of a recently excavated Iron Age roundhouse. In the far corner are the remains of a more recent kiln and a standing stone. Pass below a scree-strewn hillside to the rocks below the 37m-high Aber Falls, at their most impressive after heavy rainfall. The river boasts one of the steepest gradients from source to sea in England and Wales.
3 NORTH WALES PATH
From the falls, retrace your steps briefly and cross a footbridge over the river to take the path uphill to a viewpoint of the dramatic falls.
Walk back to the fence and climb a stile to continue along the North Wales Path. Look out for ravens, buzzards and peregrines in the skies above you. After crossing a footbridge at a lesser waterfall, the path veers north, crosses a few streams, then heads uphill to a great viewpoint. If you are lucky you may spot Carneddau ponies on the slopes. These semi-wild Celtic ponies have lived on these rugged mountains for hundreds of years.
Follow the clear path along the hillside and, at a waymark, take the path indicated to rejoin the wider path. Continue along it and you will pass a plantation and a metal farm building to reach a fork in the track.
4 MEDIEVAL MOUND
Leave the North Wales Path and take the right-hand, stony track downhill. Just before it enters trees, go right on a waymarked path and descend the steep hillside.
In a small field near houses you can see a conspicuous mound with a flat top. A wooden keep, built by either the Normans or one of the Welsh princes, once stood on this medieval motte.
At the bottom of the hill, pass through the gate on to a lane. Go right to the car park or, for refreshments, go left to Yr Hen Felin.