Tyddyn Gwladys, Coed y Brenin Forest Park, near Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales
Rhaeadr Mawddach Waterfall
Waterside landscape
Place photograph
6.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.5A forest trail follows the Mawddach through a steep-sided valley to two waterfalls, with the remains of a goldmine and the history of the Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works adding a human story to the walk.
This is more than a waterfall viewpoint: a waymarked forest circuit links two falls with a riverside valley, old mine workings and a downloadable history trail. The route’s rougher sections and gorge-side setting give the visit a more exploratory feel than a simple roadside stop.
Atmospheric · Wild
Find your way
Open mapTyddyn Gwladys, Coed y Brenin Forest Park, near Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales
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The experience
Take the 3.6 km waymarked Waterfalls and Goldmines Trail from Tyddyn Gwladys. It takes about 1½ hours and visits Rhaeadr Mawddach and Pistyll Gain, following the Mawddach through a steep-sided, tree-lined valley.
Things to do
Follow the Waterfalls and Goldmines Trail
Walk the waymarked circular route from Tyddyn Gwladys through the steep-sided Mawddach valley to Rhaeadr Mawddach and Pistyll Gain. The route is mostly forest road, with one very rough section and a short, steep climb.
About 1½ hours
Listen to the gunpowder works audio trail
Download the audio trail before setting out, then use the numbered posts along the waymarked route to hear about the people who worked at Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works.
Pause at the riverside picnic area
The car park has picnic tables beneath large trees beside the Mawddach river.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1½ hours
Quick waterfall circuit
- 01
Start at the Tyddyn Gwladys car park.
- 02
Follow the waymarked Waterfalls and Goldmines Trail along the Mawddach.
- 03
Visit Rhaeadr Mawddach and Pistyll Gain, then follow the marked route back to the car park.
Half day · About 1½ hours, plus time for stops
Waterfalls, goldmine and forest history
- 01
Walk the waymarked Waterfalls and Goldmines Trail from Tyddyn Gwladys.
- 02
Pause at both waterfalls and look for the remains of the Gwynfynydd goldmine along the route.
- 03
Use the numbered posts with the downloadable audio trail to hear about the Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works.
Verified history
The Waterfalls and Goldmines Trail passes the Gwynfynydd goldmine, which closed in 1999. Natural Resources Wales also provides an audio trail about the people who worked at Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works. The supplied information does not give dates for the gunpowder works.
Hidden details
Numbered audio-trail posts — Numbered posts along the waymarked circuit indicate which section of the Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works audio trail to play next. Download the audio before your visit because mobile coverage may be limited in rural areas.
When to go
· No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check current trail conditions before visiting.
The supplied sources establish that the trail and waterfalls are visitable but do not identify a best season. Waterfall flow and trail conditions can vary; check locally before setting out.
Wet weather may make rough track and waterfall surroundings more challenging. The official trail information warns of a very rough section and unprotected drops into river gorges; stay on the waymarked route.
The route
- ascent
- 109 m / 359 ft
- stiles
- No stiles; the route has two gates with 80 cm passing places.
- surface
- Nearly all forest road, with one section of very rough private track before the waterfalls.
- distance
- 3.6 km / 2.2 miles
- duration
- About 1½ hours
- difficulty
- Moderate
- waymarking
- Waymarked from start to finish. Look for the information panel at the start.
- route shape
- Circular
- start point
- Tyddyn Gwladys car park, Coed y Brenin Forest Park.
- parking start
- Free parking at the trail start.
- Rhaeadr Mawddach waterfall
- Pistyll Gain waterfall
- Steep-sided valley and large trees beside the Mawddach
- Gwynfynydd goldmine remains
- Downloadable Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works audio trail
What to look for
Look for both waterfalls along the circuit, the remains of the Gwynfynydd goldmine, and numbered posts for the downloadable Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works audio trail.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
All year; waterfall conditions change with rainfall. Check the trail conditions before setting out.
After recent rain the falls may be especially forceful, but wet conditions can also make the rough track and waterfall surroundings more challenging. Check conditions and keep to the waymarked route.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The 3.6 km waymarked Waterfalls and Goldmines Trail starts at the Tyddyn Gwladys car park and reaches Rhaeadr Mawddach and Pistyll Gain. The route is graded moderate and includes a short steep climb and a section of very rough track. Stay on the waymarked trail: old mine workings may be unsafe and there are unprotected drops into river gorges.
Parking
Free parking at the Tyddyn Gwladys car park, the start of the waymarked trail.
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Picnic tables are available beside the car park; other food options are not confirmed.
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The 3.6 km trail is described by Natural Resources Wales as suitable for pushchairs and mobility scooters, with no steps or stiles. It also includes very rough track, a short steep climb and two gates with 80 cm passing places. The source row says the waterfall listing has no wheelchair-accessible entrance; check current conditions and suitability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
River and waterfalls
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Rhaeadr Mawddach Waterfall
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
