Great country walks: take the North Wales Path to Aber Falls, Gwynedd

Difficulty Challenging
Distance 6.7 miles/11km
Typical duration 4 hours 10 minutes
Start and finish Abergwyngregyn bus stop and car park
Map OS Explorer OL17
Step-by-step details and maps ramblers.org.uk/moel

In a nutshell

From the quiet village of Abergwyngregyn on the north Wales coast, this walk takes you along part of the long-distance North Wales Path, which runs from Bangor to Prestatyn, through fields to Moel Wnion, a hill sitting within the northern Carneddau range. You’ll climb to the summit to enjoy sweeping views before heading down the other side, walking past streams and gulleys. The pinnacle of the walk is Aber Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Wales. After admiring the dramatic setting, you’ll return to Abergwyngregyn through a pretty national nature reserve.

Why it’s special

The highlight may be Aber Falls, but there’s much more to enjoy too, including a magnificent viewpoint on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park and great plenty of wildlife spotting. Following the grassy track of the North Wales Path you’ll pass a cluster of old tree stumps where a plantation once stood (it may still be shown on your map). From here you begin the climb to the summit of Moel Wnion, which, at 1,900ft requires a bit of leg-work, but is worth it for the views once you reach the top. Before you reach Aber Falls, you’ll pass Rhaeadr Fach falls. Although much smaller, it’s worth a stop. Shortly ahead, lie the majestic Aber Falls, or Rhaeadr Fawr in Welsh. Formed as the Afon Goch plunges about 120ft over a sill of rock, not only are they amazing to look at, but the sound of the water as it crashes down is quite something. Though not recommended, it is possible to bathe in the plunge pool, but be warned – even in the height of summer the water is cold and the rocks are slippery, so proceed with caution.

The return leg of this journey won’t disappoint either, as you head back through Coedydd Aber National Nature Reserve through woodland and open grassland. Watch for the many birds that frequent the site, including treecreepers, sparrowhawks, woodpeckers, tree pipits, skylarks and even buzzards and ravens. Look closely and you may spot polecats, stoat and possibly even lizards and adders. There’s a long history of human habitation in the valley too and archaeological finds from round huts to an iron age hill fort can be seen in the reserve.

Reward yourself

The Village Inn, a short drive away in the Victorian seaside resort of Llanfairfechan, does good food and is a B&B.

Get there

Abergwyngregyn is accessible by bus 5X, or Bus 5 which stops on the A55 Expressway. (gwynedd.gov.uk). By car, the village is on junction 13 of the A55 between Llanfairfechan and Bangor.