Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr) — Experience #26

Aber Falls — Rhaeadr Fawr, "the great waterfall" — is a 37-metre plunge from the northern edge of the Carneddau, reached by one of Eryri's finest valley walks through ancient oak woodland. The approach is as fine as the destination: the Coedydd Aber National Nature Reserve, pied flycatchers in the canopy in summer, and traces of Llywelyn the Great's medieval hunting ground in the valley floor. This is Experience #26 of the Snowdonia 100.

Walk Details

The Walk

From Bont Newydd the path follows the Afon Rhaeadr Fawr upstream through oak woodland alive with birdlife in late spring. After roughly 1.5km, Rhaeadr Fach — the smaller waterfall — is passed on the right. The path continues across more open ground before the main falls come into view: a wide curtain of water dropping vertically from the plateau above into a boulder-strewn pool. In full spate after autumn rain, the volume is extraordinary and the spray reaches a surprising distance.

Llywelyn's Hunting Ground

The Aber valley was part of the royal hunting ground of the Princes of Gwynedd, and Llywelyn the Great's court at Aber Garth Celyn — just below the valley — was one of the primary residences of the last independent Welsh rulers. The connection between this beautiful valley and the end of native Welsh sovereignty is understated but present in every walk through it.

Experience #26 of 100 — Water and Light category. See the full Aber Falls guide.