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Waterfalls in Mid Wales

Mid Wales has some of the most impressive waterfalls in Britain, from narrow gorges where water thunders through rock to cascades in oak woodland. Most are reached by short footpaths that are part of the day out. They're at their best from October to February, when the rain has filled the rivers and the leaves have thinned enough to see the falls properly.

When is the best time to see waterfalls in Mid Wales?

Autumn and winter, a day or two after heavy rain. That's when the falls across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia) run full and loud. In a dry summer some of them slow to a trickle. Paths are muddier and steps more slippery after rain, so wear boots with a good grip and take your time.

Devil's Bridge Falls, Ceredigion

At Devil's Bridge, 12 miles inland from Aberystwyth, the River Mynach plunges 300ft through a deep wooded gorge spanned by three bridges built one on top of another. The oldest dates to the 12th century. The Devil's Bridge Waterfalls nature trails follow steep paths and steps with viewing points above the falls. You can arrive on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, a narrow-gauge steam line from Aberystwyth. See the Ceredigion uplands.

Pistyll Rhaeadr, Powys

At 240 feet, Pistyll Rhaeadr near Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant in north Powys is the tallest single-drop waterfall in England and Wales. The water falls over a cliff face, through a natural rock arch and drops again. There's a café and car park, and the walk to the base of the falls is short and manageable for most people. After autumn rain the spray reaches the path.

Dolgoch Falls, Southern Eryri

Near Tywyn in Southern Eryri, Dolgoch Falls are reached by a woodland trail with three main falls, the highest around 60 feet. The Talyllyn Railway stops at Dolgoch station, so you can combine the walk with a ride on the oldest preserved railway in the world. See Southern Eryri.

The Four Falls Trail near Ystradfellte

In the south of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), near Ystradfellte in Powys, the Four Falls Trail passes a string of waterfalls on the Mellte and Hepste rivers. At Sgwd yr Eira you can walk behind the curtain of water. Allow most of a day, expect steep, rocky and slippery ground, and follow the advice at the car parks, as the gorges can be dangerous after heavy rain. See Bannau Brycheiniog.

More waterfalls to find

In Hafren Forest near Llanidloes, a waymarked trail follows the young River Severn to the waterfall known as Severn-break-its-neck. Above the Elan Valley reservoirs, the overflow at Craig Goch dam turns into a curtain of white water after heavy rain. Both are good additions to an autumn walk. See our autumn walks for routes.

Where to stay

A cottage with a fire is the best place to dry out after a wet day at the falls. Browse places to stay with open fires and log burners, or see autumn in Mid Wales for more ideas.

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Dyfi Discovery Walk | Cwm Ralltgoed Walk

Address

Aberllefenni, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: NRW forest car park.
Turn R just before Aberllefenni village sign.
Grid Reference: SH 769 092
Distance: 8.4 km - 5.2 miles
Grade: Easy/Moderate
Maps: OS Explorer . OL23
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Pennal Walk

Address

Pennal, MACHYNLLETH, Powys, SY20 9DR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

MACHYNLLETH

Start: Pennal village
Grid Reference: SH 699 004
Distance: 13.2km – 8.3 miles
Grade: Strenuous – A mountain walk, not to be undertaken in poor visibility
Maps: OS Explorer – OL 23
Rhayader | Walking & Hiking

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 810561

enquiries@rhayader.co.uk

Rhayader

Get off the beaten path and explore everything that Rhayader and the Elan Valley has to offer, from gentle relaxing walks to something to challenging the most experienced climbers.
Llanwrtyd Wells | Heritage Trail

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Llanwrtyd Wells

Many of the locations in Llanwrtyd Wells have an interesting history and walking the Heritage Trail is an excellent way of learning about the town and taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Coedwig Gymunedol Longwood Community Woodland

Address

Long Wood, Canolfan Longwood, Llanfair Clydogau, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 8NE

Telephone
01570 493355

info@longwood-lampeter.org.uk

Llanfair Clydogau, Lampeter

Coedwig Gymunedol Longwood Community Woodland is a 300 acre site of mixed woodland just north of Lampeter in Ceredigion. The woods are owned and managed by the local community and is as a free facility for walkers, riders and cyclists to enjoy all…
The Ann Griffiths Walk

Address

Pont Llogel, Llwydiarth to Pontrobert, Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, SY21 0QG

Telephone
01597 827567

Lake Vyrnwy

The Ann Griffiths Trail is a 7 mile linear walk that follows closely the bank of the River Vyrnwy for most of its length with the Berwyn mountains forming a splendid backdrop. The path runs from Pont Llogel, Llwydiarth to Pontrobert with scenery…
The Precipice Walk

Address

Dolgellau, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 1PS

Southern Snowdonia

The Precipice Walk is one of the famous attractions of Dolgellau. It passes through an interesting variety of habitats which include deciduous woodland, a conifer plantation, meadows, lakeside and sheep-walk.
Waen-oer Ridge Mountain Walk

Address

Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, LL49 9LP

Telephone
01341 422888

Gwynedd

The Waun-oer Ridge Walk climbs from the village of Dinas Mawddwy over the bare mountains of Maesglase, Craig Portas, Cribin Fawr and Waun-oer and then down the slopes of Mynydd Ceiswyn to Bwlch Llyn Bach pass, Tal-y-llyn.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AB

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre sits at the head of a dramatic valley and has commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. Expect beautiful scenic walking trails all of which are waymarked and start from the visitor centre.
Ystwyth Trail | Ystradmeurig - Tregaron

Address

Ystwyth Trail (Stage 2), Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron, SY25 6BJ

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron

The Ystwyth Trail is a 32.1km/20M cycle route and footpath linking Aberystwyth and Tregaron. Part of the trail follows the track of the old Great Western railway line.
Start: Aberystwyth SN584812
Finish: Tregaron SN679597
Black Mountains | Grwyne Fawr Reservoir Walk

Address

Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains, Mynydd Ddu Car Park, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 7LY

Abergavenny

Grwyne Fawr Reservoir is a 2.5-mile uphill walk from the Mynydd Du car park. Look carefully and you might see wild ponies grazing among the gorse and take in views of the valley and the mighty conifers of the Mynydd Du forest in this remote area of…
Sugar Loaf (from Llangenny) Walk

Address

Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains, Powys

Telephone
01873 812105

Powys

There are many ways up and down the Sugar Loaf. This walk starts on the west of this striking and distinctly shaped hill in the small village of Llangenny (240180), just to the east of the bridge over the Grwyne Fawr.
Severn Way Walk

Address

Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6EE

Telephone
01938 551000

Walk the Severn Way, a long distance footpath tracing the route of Britain's longest river, from its sources to the sea.
Borth Walk

Address

Y Borth | Borth, Borth, Ceredigion, SY24 5JU

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Borth

Start: Borth High Street
Grid Reference: SN 608 901
Distance: Walk A: 4.4 km – 2.7 miles
Walk B: 10.7 km – 6.6 miles
Grade: Easy
Terrain: Roads, firm tracks, sand and shingle
Maps: OS Explorer – OL 23 & 213
Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli North Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli North Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Easy
Distance: 6.5km/4M
Time: 2.5 - 3hrs (excluding rest stops)
Teifi Loop Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Teifi Loop Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 5.63km/3.5M
Time: 2.5 hours (excluding rest stops)
Ceredigion Coast Path | Aberaeron - Llanrhystud

Address

Aberaeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0BT

Telephone
01545 570602

countryside@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberaeron

5th section of the Ceredigion Coastal Path
Total distance 11.9km (7.4 miles)
Aberaeron to Aberarth 3.1km (1.9miles), grade/easy
Aberarth to Llanon 4.8km (3.0 miles), moderate-easy
Llanon to Llanrhystud 4.0km (2.5 miles), grade/easy
Ceredigion Coast Path | Llanrhystud-Aberystwyth

Address

Llanrhystud - Aberystwyth, Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, SY23 5BW

Telephone
01545 570602

aberaeronTIC@ceredigion.gov.uk

Llanrhystud

6th section of the Ceredigion Coastal Path Llanrhystud to Aberystwyth
Total Distance 17km (10.6 miles) Grade - moderate/hard
Despite being challenging this section of Heritage Coast is dramatic, lonely and extremely worthwhile.
Hafren Forest | Source of the Severn Trail (NRW)

Address

Rhyd-y-benwch Car Park, Old Hall, LLANIDLOES, Powys, SY18 6PT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

LLANIDLOES

In the heart of the Cambrian Mountain uplands of Mid Wales, the River Severn springs from the upper slopes of Pumlumon Cwmbiga. The walking trail to the source of the Severn starts in the Hafren Forest. Follow the white waymarkers. When reaching the…
Glyndwr's Way | Knighton - Llanidloes

Address

Trail Start - Knighton, Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes

The 135 m/217km National Trail is a long distance walk which can be enjoyed as a continuous journey, typically taking around nine days, or over a series of weekend or day trips.
Clytha Estate

Address

Clytha Estate, Clytha Riverside Car Park, Clytha, Monmouthshire, NP7 9BW

Clytha

The Clytha Estate in Monmouthshire is a classic 18th-century landscaped park combining fine architecture, grand sweeping views and tranquil countryside in a timeless atmosphere.