Wales

Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd walk

View of the waterfall Rhaedr Ddu (Black Falls in English) with white cascades over dark rocks, surrounded by green trees — Rhaedr Ddu (Black Falls) on the River Gamlan | © National Trust Images/John Miller

This is a great circular waterside walk in South Eryri (Snowdonia), taking you alongside the turbulent River Gamlan and past the magnificent Rhaeadr Ddu waterfalls. They look different every time you visit, depending on rainfall, weather and light.

Near to

South Snowdonia

Start point

Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd, grid ref: SH727243

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)

Duration1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly**

*A mixture of tarmac, grassy paths (may be muddy) and rocky slopes. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs welcome under close control in woodland and on short leads on farmland. For further details, please see Facilities section.

Rocky sections

Take extra care of your footing on rocky sections by the waterfalls. They can be slippery.

Address
Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd, Gwynedd, LL40 2TF
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Station at Barmouth 10 miles (16km), see Traveline Cymru for details.
Traveline Cymru
By bus
Bus stops in Ganllwyd, routes between Dolgellau and Blaenau Ffestiniog, see Traveline Cymru for details.
Traveline Cymru
Cycling
NCN Route 82 goes close by, see Sustrans for details.
Sustrans
By road
A470 to Ganllwyd, car park in village. Post code: LL40 2TF.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd, grid ref: SH727243
Stage 1
Cross the road from the car park towards the recently restored corrugated iron village hall.
Stage 2
Follow the tarmac road alongside the river, then follow the waymarks over the stone bridge, heading for a wooden bridge. Look out for a lichen-covered rock that has a Latin inscription carved on it.
Stage 3
Cross the wooden bridge and veer right towards the waterfalls. Rhaeadr Ddu (Black Falls in English), are two waterfalls that cascade over 60ft (18m). Take care on this section as the rocks can be slippery.
Rhaeadr Ddu (Black Falls) on the River Gamlan | © National Trust/Malcolm Davies
Stage 4
Continue along the path following the waymarkers. Go through the kissing gate and shortly afterwards take the path to the left, following the waymarkers down through the open oak woodland.
Stage 5
At the crossroads, go straight ahead through the wooden gate. Follow the path, through two more gates, to the main road. Turn left here to go back to the Ganllwyd car park.
Enjoy woodland views of Ganllwyd, South Snowdonia | © National Trust/Malcolm Davies
End point
Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd, grid ref: SH727243
Trail map
Map of the Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Water is gently lapping the pebble-strewn Barmouth beach, Gwynedd, with the town of Barmouth in the background and the gorse-covered cliffs of Dinas Oleu beyond.

Trail

Dinas Oleu walk, Barmouth

Wind through the old town up to the gorse-covered Dinas Oleu, donated by Victorian Fanny Talbot to the people of Barmouth in 1895: the first area of land given to the National Trust.