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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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Cwm Hengae Walk

Address

Corris, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9SS

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Powys

Start: NRW forest car park. Turn R just before Aberllefenni village sign
Grid Reference: SH 769 092
Distance: 7.4 km – 4.6 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Tarmac road and grassy tracks.
Maps: OS Explorer – OL 23
Circular Walk 3 - Fachwen Pool

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Powys

Starting in the center of Newtown, this route follows the long distance Severn Way to the lake and returns via Penshwa Lane and Ffrydd Farm.
Dyfi Forest (NRW)

Address

Dyfi Forest (NRW), Gwynedd, SY20 8QJ

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Gwynedd

The Dyfi Forest is located mainly to the north of the Afon Dyfi between Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. Dyfi is a 6000ha forest - a spectacular landscape well worth exploring.
Offa's Dyke | Buttington Bridge to Llanymynech

Address

Welshpool - Llanymynech, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7DD

Welshpool

The Buttington Bridge to Llanymynech section of the Offa's Dyke National Trail starts at Buttington Bridge where you meet the River Severn, from where it is a short walk into Welshpool.
Wales Coast Path | New Quay - Aberaeron

Address

Cei Newydd | New Quay, New Quay - Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0JP

Telephone
01970 612125

countryside@ceredigion.gov.uk

New Quay - Aberaeron

New Quay to Aberaeron is a popular section of the Wales Coast Path that presents no major challenges. The walk is a distance 10.5km (6.5miles)
Rhaeadr Ddu & Coed Ganllwyd | Walking Trails

Address

Coed Ganllwyd Nature Reserve, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TG

Telephone
01341 440238

eyri@nationaltrust.org

Dolgellau

A network of paths on the Coed Ganllwyd reserve mean you can choose from circular walks of 100 metres up to more demanding routes that stretch over two kilometres.
Glyndwr's Way | Machynlleth - Llanwddyn

Address

Mid Wales, Powys, SY20 8EE

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

A 132 mile National Trail set in the heart of Mid Wales breathtaking countryside, dedicated to the 15th Century Welsh Prince Owain Glyndwr
Montgomery | Town Heritage Trail

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery

2.17miles (3.5km) takes about 1.5hours and is a moderate walk with a moderate grade - Download the PDF
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.
Betsi Cadwaladr | Heritage Trail

Address

Station Road, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7NG

Bala

A circular walk first through the town, over farmland and moorland to Llanycil returning along the lake and through the town with many stiles. The walk passes various locations associated with Betsi Cadwaladr.
Lôn Mawddach | Mawddach Trail

Address

Mawddach Estuary, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 2TA

Southern Snowdonia

The walk along the estuary from Barmouth to Dolgellau is 9.6 miles (15km). This easy leisure walk is suitable for all the family and involves no climbing. A section of the trail has been adapted for people with disabilities.
Black Mountains | Pen Tir Walk

Address

Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains, Cwmdu, Crickhowell, Powys

Telephone
01873 812105

Crickhowell

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.
Tal-y-Bont Walk

Address

Talybont, Ceredigion, Ceredigion, SY24 5HE

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Ceredigion

Start: Tal-y-bont village green
Grid Reference: SN 654 891
Distance: 3.1 km – 1.9 miles
Grade: Easy/moderate
Terrain: Tarmac road and grassy tracks. Can be muddy
Maps: OS Explorer – 213
Circular Walk 5 - Coed y Graig

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

Rated as easy, this is a pub based walk that starts and finishes at the Waggon and Horses in Lower Canal Road, Newtown
Talybont | Mynydd Gorddu Walk

Address

Talybont Village Green, Talybont, Ceredigion, SY24 5HE

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Talybont

Start: Tal-y-bont village green
Grid Reference: SN654 891
Distance: Walk A: 10.5 km – 6.5 miles
Walk B: 9.8 km – 6.1 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Tarmac road, firm tracks, fields and woodland. Can be muddy in places
Llandysul/Pont-Tyweli South Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli South Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 9km/5.6M
Time: 2.5hrs (excluding rest stops)
Walking Newtown | Waterways and Town

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Y Drenewydd | Newtown

This 2.5 circular mile walk starts in the centre of Newtown and largely circles around the western boundaries of Newtown. It will take you along the River Severn and has some road and off-road walking.
Wales Coast Path | Aberystwyth-Ynyslas

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2AG

Telephone
01970 612125

AberystwythTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

This section of the Wales Coast Path is a section of two distinct halves with Aberystwyth to Borth being a challenging yet popular section of Ceredigion Coast while the section between Borth and Ynys-las is completely flat, with much of it running…
Coed y Brenin | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW), Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HZ

Telephone
01341 440747

coedybrenin@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Dolgellau

Three walking trails are waymarked and start from Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre car park.
More walking trails start from our other car parks within Coed y Brenin Forest Park.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Cwrt Walk

Address

Cwrt, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: Village car park, Cwrt
Grid Reference:SH 688 000
Distance: 4.8 km – 3 miles (with extension 6.6 km - 4 miles)
Grade: Moderate (extension energetic)
Terrain: Tarmac road, firm tracks, fields and woodland
Maps: OS Explorer - OL 23
Pererindod Melangell Walk

Address

Llyn Efyrnwy | Lake Vyrnwy, Llanwddyn, Powys, SY10 0LY

Telephone
01691 870346

vyrnwy@rspb.org.uk

Llanwddyn

A spectacular 15 mile walk passing by Lake Vyrnwy, and leading to Britain's oldest Romanesque shrine at the ancient church of Pennant Melangell.