Swallow Falls (Rhaeadr Ewynnol)
About
A run of falls on the Afon Llugwy beside the A5, about three kilometres west of the village centre in a straight line; the community council puts it at about two miles. The Welsh name on the signs, Rhaeadr Ewynnol, means the foaming waterfall. Wikipedia says that is a later coinage and that the older name, Rhaeadr y Wennol, the waterfall of the swallow, comes from a rock that splits the river into two streams like a swallow's tail. Entry from the A5 side is through a turnstile that Betws-y-Coed Community Council lists at £2, coins or contactless, open all year, 24 hours. The Sherpa S1 stops at Swallow Falls about six minutes out of Betws. Natural Resources Wales also waymarks a strenuous Swallow Falls walk on the far bank from its Ty'n Llwyn car park. Go after a few wet days in the mountains.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓Turnstile entry, £2 by coins or contactless per the community council
- ✓Open all year, 24 hours
- ✓On the Sherpa S1 bus route from Betws
- ✓A strenuous waymarked walk from Ty'n Llwyn on the other bank
Tips
- →The turnstile does not give change, so take the right coins or a contactless card.
- →The community council says disabled and pushchair access is available from April to the end of October, 10:00 to 15:00 only.
- →NRW grades its Swallow Falls Walk from Ty'n Llwyn strenuous: 3.6km, 1.5 to 2.5 hours, narrow rough paths and several flights of steps. Check its page for closures before setting out.
- →Keep to the paths; the rock by the river is slippery when wet.
Best Season
Accessibility
Disabled access and wheeled items (pushchairs) April to end of October, 10:00 to 15:00 only, per Betws-y-Coed Community Council; not available outside those times.
