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Easy Family Walk to the Aber Falls

By Dave Roberts   

on August 29, 2017    4.71/5 (7)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Low Level and Easier Walks in Snowdonia, Riverside and Valley Walks in Snowdonia, Snowdonia National Park, The Carneddau, Wales

Easy Family Walk to the Aber Falls

Route Essentials

Route Summary

An easy family friendly walk to a spectacular waterfall. Best walked just after heavy rains.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

4.2 km

Ascent

157 m

Time

2

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Aber Falls Car Park - Abergwyngregyn

Difficulty

Very Easy Walk

Hazards

Open water under the falls – look but don’t wander in!

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Easy Family Walk to the Aber Falls Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Easy Family Walk to the Aber Falls

An easy family walk to the Aber Falls in Snowdonia, or Rhaeadr Fawr to the locals. The easy walk to Aber Falls is a straightforward out and back to view the spectacular Rhaeadr Fawr waterfall that drops nearly 40m from the hanging valley above. The main drawback of the walk to Aber Falls is that it can be busy at any time of year. There are also benches along the path at regular intervals if you find you need a rest.

This walk, or to be specific – the Aber Falls are best after some prolonged rain when the falls are at their most spectacular. Make sure you’ve got waterproofs as when it’s at it’s most powerful, as the spray is carried further than you’d imagine! A longer circuit can be completed – Aber Falls Circular Walk. The route is also part of a slonger circular walk developed by Cyngor Gwynedd Council, which has a printable Aber Falls walk pdf route leaflet available here.

The Route

The walk to Aber Falls starts from the car park at Bont Newydd, which is reached via a minor road from Aber and the A55 (follow signs). You can park at the lower car park, or you may have to follow the road left over the bridge, and right to the second car park. If you start at the lower car park, then follow the track that goes up stream until you reach a footbridge that leads to a wider path with a large gate.

1. If you start from the second car park, you must return the way you came until the road turns left and you will pass through a large gate.

2. The trail from now on really needs no guidance as it is that straightforward. So long as you don’t venture off the path, as there are a couple of steeper routes through the conifer plantation.Aber Falls Walk - Easy Family Walks in Snowdonia

3. The only thing to keep an eye out for is the hut half way that has an exibition in it, but was closed whenever we go by. There are also some Bronze age huts along here that are in the process of being excavated. Traditional charcoal is also produced here.

Aber Falls Walk - Easy Family Walks in Snowdonia

4. You’ll soon arrive at the end of the walk. The falls are quite spectacular, but beware that the spray will travel a fair distance! The rocks below the falls are also slippery! You can cross the footbridge to get an alternative view of the falls. It can be even more atmospheric in mist, taking on a rain forest feel (though the temperature remains far off).

Aber Falls Walk - Easy Family Walks in Snowdonia

5. Return by the same route, and enjoy a cuppa at the Cafe in the village, though the Aber Falls Hotel has recently been spotted open again as a licenced cafe.

Looking pensively off into the distance..

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

An easy family friendly walk to a spectacular waterfall. Best walked just after heavy rains.

Route Start Location: Aber Falls Car Park - Abergwyngregyn

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
4.2 km 157 m 2

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Very Easy Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Cafes at Aber, parking and WC at start.

Hazards

Open water under the falls – look but don’t wander in!

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : LL33 0LP

Paid for parking.

Public Transport:

Plenty of buses to the village from Bangor or Conwy sides. This adds another 2 kilometers of country lane to the walk.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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