Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls)

4.5 km (about 2.8 miles) there and back from the car park to Rhaeadr Fawr and straight back the same way, with about 1 hour of walking and a steady climb of roughly 100 m (330 ft) from the gate near the lower car park. Rated easy, around 2/10 for difficulty.

• Start over a small bridge at a wide gate, then follow the yellow waymarkers through gates and past Bwthyn y Nant.
• At the fork, bear right to stay on the accessible path.
• The way opens out from woodland into a broad valley, with the falls ahead.
• The payoff is Rhaeadr Fawr itself, a tall waterfall dropping over steep rock, and then you retrace your steps.

The walking is straightforward for most of the way: a broad, waymarked path that climbs gradually rather than steeply. The first section is wide enough for pushchairs on the marked access route, but the final stretch before the waterfall can be rough, so expect uneven, rocky ground and take care where spray keeps the rock damp. Shoes with grip make the last few minutes much more comfortable, and the climb plus a stop at the falls means many people take longer than the hour estimate.

Use Aber Falls Car Park, LL33 0LP, where the walk begins almost at the parking area. It sits before you reach Abergwyngregyn and space is limited, so an earlier start gives you the best chance of a spot.

Dogs are welcome on the public footpaths here. Keep them under close control throughout.

This is a short waterfall outing, not a mountain day. If you want ridges and a long day out, the routes continuing toward Foel Fras are a different proposition entirely. Also note that the nature reserve nearby publishes its own shorter Aber Falls walk of 3.7 km (2.3 miles) there and back, listed at about 1.5 hours; this row is the Eryri promoted route from the car park, so pick whichever length suits your plans and follow the waymarking for the one you choose.