Rhaeadr Du — the Black Waterfall — drops ten metres over dark rock in the ancient oak woodland above Ganllwyd in the Mawddach valley, one of the finest hidden waterfalls in southern Eryri. Uncrowded, short to reach, and set in woodland of exceptional quality, it represents the kind of discovery that comes from exploring beyond the well-known paths. This is Experience #29 of the Snowdonia 100.
Walk Details
| Start | Ganllwyd village, on the A470 north of Dolgellau |
| Distance | 4km return |
| Ascent | 200m |
| Time | 1.5–2 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy–moderate — woodland paths, some uneven ground |
The Woodland
The Coed Ganllwyd National Nature Reserve protects one of the finest examples of upland oak woodland in Wales — ancient sessile oaks draped in mosses, ferns and lichens, the woodland floor soft and green. The Afon Gamlan runs through the reserve, dropping over a series of waterfalls including Rhaeadr Du. The dampness of the western maritime climate creates a richness of bryophyte flora that makes the woodland floor almost luminescent in certain lights.
Why it Matters
Most visitors to this part of Eryri drive through Ganllwyd on the A470 without stopping. The village is easily missed, and the waterfall requires a specific decision to visit rather than a passing diversion. That same obscurity is what makes it rewarding: on a weekday the woodland is empty, the only sounds the river and the birds, and the falls are entirely your own. This is Eryri away from the car parks and the queues on Yr Wyddfa.
Experience #29 of 100 — Water and Light category.
Independently written — Snowdon.com