Aber Falls is one of Eryri’s most dramatic waterfalls. Situated at the northern foothills of the Carneddau, the waterfall is part of Afon Goch’s (Red River) final descent to the Menai Straits.
The river plummets dramatically from a height of 120 feet, crashing into a shallow rocky pool before continuing towards the village of Abergwyngregyn.
The wonder of Aber Falls is the fact that one of the National Park’s most impressive features can be so accessible to many. As one of the shortest walks on offer in Eryri, Aber Falls is an excellent option for those at the beginning of their journey to discover what makes Eryri so unique.
A stone’s throw away from the A55, Aber Falls is a fantastic option for those just arriving at the National Park.
The route offers many picnic areas with wide, open spaces perfect for families with young children.
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The National Park Authority has categorised this route as an Easy Access for All route. It is suitable for people of all abilities, including people with conventional wheelchairs and pushchairs. The terrain consists of largely flat, even surfaces with no steps or steep sections. Comfortable shoes or trainers are suitable for this route.
Start / Finish
Aber Falls Car Park
Relevant OS Map
OS Explorer OL17 Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Conwy Valley)
Always park in designated parking areas and never in places where you block entrances to fields or residential areas.
Upper Car Park
Owned by Natural Resources Wales
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Lower Car Park (near Bont Newydd)
Owned by Snowdonia National Park Authority
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Please note: There are two small car parks at the start of the Great Falls Walk. You have to drive through the village of Abergwyngregyn on a narrow road to get there.
These car parks fill up quickly, especially at weekends and during school holidays, causing congestion and long delays on busy days.
It is advisable to consider using the free car park before reaching the village of Abergwyngregyn. Turn off the A55 at Junction 13 signposted Abergwyngregyn. Follow the P signs to the free car park on the left rather than follow the road up through the village.
The National Park Authority has categorised the route as an ‘Easy – Access for All’ route. This means that the route is suitable for people of all abilities, including those with conventional wheelchairs and pushchairs. The terrain is predominantly flat and even with no steps or steep sections.
Be aware that there is a more challenging path to the falls through the woodland. This path is unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The accessible route follows the river.
Useful information
- An accessible picnic table is located at the upper car park
- A large public toilet is located in the upper car park
- There are two options to start the route—one from the upper car park and another from the lower car park. The more accessible start is located at the lower car park.
- The route path is wide
- The path has a rough surface, some potholes and there are some steep stretches
- Wide gates can be opened with a RADAR key when locked
- Kissing gates on the trail are wide
- Those who use manual wheelchairs may experience greater difficulty than those who use an electric wheelchair
Stay safe and help protect the countryside by reading the information about safety and following the Countryside Code.
The Aber Falls area was an important dwelling place for the princes of Gwynedd. Nearby Abergwyngregyn used to be known as Aber Garth Celyn and was the seat of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Llywelyn is amongst the most famous of Welsh princes. He was known as ‘Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf’ (Llywelyn Our Last Leader) and was the last sovereign prince of Wales before Edward I’s conquest in 1282.
Aber Falls is located at the northern foothills of the Carneddau. The Carneddau is one of Eryri’s most fascinating mountain ranges. It is the largest uninterrupted area of land in the National Park, covering over 220sq/km. This mountain range has a wealth of special qualities from its wild free-roaming ponies to its fascinating Roman archaeological remains.
As you travel to the start of the route, you will cross a bridge known as Y Bontnewydd (The New Bridge). Despite its name, this bridge dates back to 1822—Ordnance Survey maps from this period mark its existence. The bridge was used by drovers many years ago. Drovers were responsible for driving cattle and sheep from the Welsh countryside to the markets of England. Their work meant driving herds of animals over hundreds of miles of Snowdonia’s landscape. Evidence of drover roads is strewn across the National Park’s landscape.
At the foot of the falls, you will come across a bridge. The Wales Coastal Path crosses this bridge. This path is an 870-mile uninterrupted route along the whole of the Welsh coast. Wales is the only country in the world to have such a route.
