Conwy Falls — Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd — is where the River Conwy drops through a narrow rocky gorge 3km south of Betws-y-Coed, the water compressed into a powerful, churning cascade before spreading into a deep pool below. Less visited than Swallow Falls but arguably more dramatic in spate conditions, it deserves a stop in its own right. This is Experience #27 of the Snowdonia 100.
Visiting Details
| Location | A5, 3km south of Betws-y-Coed |
| Parking | Car park at the falls site (small charge) |
| Access | Short walk from car park to viewpoints |
| Best conditions | After heavy rain — the gorge setting amplifies the power |
| Time needed | 30–45 minutes |
The Falls
Unlike Swallow Falls, which is a series of cascades over a wide gorge, Conwy Falls is a single powerful drop compressed between steep rock walls. The river narrows to perhaps five metres wide at the gorge entrance, and the force of the water in spate conditions creates a roar audible well before the falls are visible. The viewing platforms give good angles on both the main fall and the pool below, where large trout can sometimes be seen holding in the current.
Salmon Run
Conwy Falls marks the upper limit of salmon migration on the River Conwy — the falls are a natural barrier that the salmon cannot pass. In late autumn, the pool below the falls holds significant numbers of salmon waiting for spate conditions. The fish ladder constructed alongside the falls has allowed some upstream passage, but the falls remain a defining feature of the river's ecology.
Experience #27 of 100 — Water and Light category.
Independently written — Snowdon.com