Best Waterfalls Near Bangor
Written by UK Hidden Gems Editorial
Updated 5 August 2026
The best waterfalls near Bangor are Rhaeadr-bach, Aber Falls, Ceunant Mawr Waterfall, Ogwen Falls, Conwy Tal-y-Bont, Watkin Path Waterfall, Cyfyng Falls and Fairy Falls Waterfall.
Bangor makes a fine base for waterfall hunting, with the mountains of Snowdonia and the wooded Conwy valley rising close at hand. Just to the east, above Abergwyngregyn, the Carneddau foothills hold the tall ribbon of Aber Falls and its slender companion Rhaeadr-bach, both within an easy trip.
South toward Llanberis, the Afon Hwch drops through a gorge at Ceunant Mawr beneath the mountain railway, while at the head of Nant Ffrancon the Ogwen Falls tumble beside the A5. Deeper into the hills, the lower Watkin Path hides a run of cascades and swimming pools on the flanks of Yr Wyddfa, and near Capel Curig the Afon Llugwy pours over the rocks at Cyfyng Falls.
Over in the Conwy valley, the Afon Dulyn slips through a wooded fold above Tal-y-bont, and in the village of Trefriw the pretty Fairy Falls drops down its angled rock face. Every one of these lies within easy reach of the city.
Here are eight waterfalls to seek out near Bangor.
Rhaeadr-bach
Photo: Kevin Williams via Geograph.org.uk
Rhaeadr-bach Close to Bangor near the village of Abergwyngregyn, Rhaeadr-bach, meaning the little waterfall, is the smaller companion to the well-known Aber Falls, set among the wooded foothills of the Carneddau. On the circular walk to the main falls you cross a footbridge below the great cascade, and this slender lesser fall, dropping down a rocky, wooded slope, is best seen on the return leg.
It lies within a national nature reserve of oak woodland, reached on foot from a car park a couple of miles from the village. Pairing it with its bigger neighbour makes for a satisfying loop, and it is a gentle enough outing for a relaxed afternoon out of the city.
Aber Falls
Photo: Rexxit via Geograph.org.uk
Aber Falls Also close to Bangor, Aber Falls, or Rhaeadr Fawr, drops in a single tall ribbon down a wall of dark rock at the northern edge of the Carneddau. The Afon Goch pours around thirty-seven metres over a hard igneous sill into a pool at the base, framed by scree and trees.
Getting there is a walk of a mile and a quarter up the Aber valley on a mostly gentle path past open pasture and scattered Bronze Age remains. A stone bridge crosses the stream at the foot, close enough to feel the spray on a wet day.
A thinner second fall, Rhaeadr-bach, sits nearby for anyone carrying on, all within a quiet, wooded nature reserve.
Ceunant Mawr Waterfall
Photo: Eric Jones via Geograph.org.uk
Ceunant Mawr Waterfall A short drive south of Bangor near Llanberis, Ceunant Mawr drops in two stages into a wooded gorge in the heart of Snowdonia. The Snowdon Mountain Railway crosses on a viaduct just above it, so many people catch their first glimpse of the fall from the train as it climbs the mountain.
A short uphill walk from the village leads to the water, over a gate crossing the railway line itself. In its two steps the stream falls well over a hundred feet through the trees, a good deal of drama for a modest effort.
It makes an easy and memorable half-day when paired with a wander around Llanberis.
Ogwen Falls
Photo: N Chadwick via Geograph.org.uk
Ogwen Falls South-east of Bangor, Ogwen Falls is where the Afon Ogwen leaves the western end of Llyn Ogwen and drops into the head of the Nant Ffrancon valley, deep in Snowdonia. The water tumbles down rock beside the A5, crossed here by an old stone bridge and by Telford's early nineteenth-century road bridge.
It sits at the busy Ogwen Cottage, with a car park, warden base and snack bar, the main gateway for walks up to Cwm Idwal and the peaks of Tryfan and the Glyderau. From the top of the falls a long view opens down the glacier-carved valley below, making it a rewarding stop even before you set foot on the hills.
Conwy Tal-y-Bont
Photo: Jonathan Wilkins via Geograph.org.uk
Conwy Tal-y-Bont Over in the lower Conwy valley, a short way from Bangor above Tal-y-bont, this small waterfall drops over rock on the Afon Dulyn in a wooded fold of the hillside. You reach it by a steep lane and a rough path down to a ford across the stream, so it is an out-of-the-way spot rather than a signposted attraction.
Do not confuse it with the larger Conwy Falls further south near Betws-y-Coed; this is the quieter, lesser-known of the two. For anyone who prefers their waterfalls off the tourist trail, its secluded setting among the trees makes it a pleasant discovery on a wander through the valley.
Watkin Path Waterfall
Photo: Peter Bond via Geograph.org.uk
Watkin Path Waterfall On the lower part of the Watkin Path up Yr Wyddfa, above Nant Gwynant and within reach of Bangor, a run of cascades and clear pools spills down the Afon Cwm Llan. From the Pont Bethania car park a track climbs through oak woodland for about a mile to reach them, and the pools are a popular place to swim on a warm summer's day.
Higher up, the path passes the ruins of the old South Snowdon slate works and Gladstone Rock, a boulder marking a speech the Prime Minister gave here in 1892. It is a lovely lower-mountain outing, combining flowing water, history and the start of one of Snowdon's finest routes.
Cyfyng Falls
Photo: Eric Jones via Geograph.org.uk
Cyfyng Falls Near Capel Curig, a drive south from Bangor into Snowdonia, Cyfyng Falls is a run of rapids and falls on the Afon Llugwy right beside the old stone bridge of Pont Cyfyng. Rather than a single tall drop, the river pours over rock in a forceful, stepped cascade with real power behind it.
It is best seen from the bridge, reached from a small parking area nearby, and runs at its strongest after rain. Kayakers rate this a hard stretch of white water, which gives some idea of its force in spate.
It is an easy fall to take in, yet a genuinely dramatic one when the Llugwy is high.
Fairy Falls Waterfall
Photo: Darren Haddock via Geograph.org.uk
Fairy Falls Waterfall In the village of Trefriw in the Conwy valley, an easy trip from Bangor, Fairy Falls is a waterfall where the Afon Crafnant drops down an angled rock face. It falls some six to eight metres right in the heart of the village and is easily reached on foot along the local trails.
Some of the water above is drawn off by pipe to power the old woollen mill, so the flow can drop in dry weather, which is worth bearing in mind if you visit after a long dry spell. Even so, it is a short, pleasant walk from the village to see it, and a fine excuse to explore Trefriw itself.
FAQs
Which waterfall near Bangor is easiest for families?
Aber Falls, near Abergwyngregyn just east of Bangor, is a good family choice, reached by a mostly gentle path of about a mile and a quarter up the Aber valley, with its smaller companion Rhaeadr-bach on the return loop.
Can you swim near any of these falls?
Yes. The Watkin Path waterfalls on the Afon Cwm Llan, above Nant Gwynant within reach of Bangor, have clear pools that are a popular place to swim in summer, reached by a mile-long climb from the Pont Bethania car park.
Where can you see a waterfall from a train near Bangor?
At Ceunant Mawr near Llanberis, south of Bangor, the Snowdon Mountain Railway crosses on a viaduct just above the fall, so many visitors first glimpse it from the train climbing the mountain.
Conclusion
With Snowdonia and the Conwy valley on its doorstep, Bangor is spoilt for falling water, and every fall here lies within easy reach of the city. You could spend a gentle morning on the level path to Aber Falls and Rhaeadr-bach, cool off in the pools of the Watkin Path on a hot day, or chase the roar of Cyfyng Falls and Ogwen Falls after heavy rain.
There is history too, from Telford's bridge at Ogwen to the old woollen mill at Trefriw and the slate workings above Nant Gwynant. Whether you want a family stroll, a swim or a proper mountain day, the choice is yours.
Pick your weather, pack good boots and set off: these are the waterfalls to seek out near Bangor.
