Are you planning a visit to the charming village of Betws Y Coed and seeking an unforgettable adventure? Look no further! We have the perfect itinerary for you—an immersive walk that not only takes you to the captivating Swallow Falls and the historic Ugly House, but also unveils two hidden gems: Tynllwyn and Llyn Bodgynydd. This carefully crafted journey can be enjoyed as a full day out, offering an array of breathtaking scenery, free access to Swallow Falls, and the possibility of stumbling upon a tranquil lake all to yourself. With a leisurely pace, ample stops to relish the stunning landscapes, and the indulgence of delightful cakes at Ugly House, this activity spans approximately 5-7 hours.
To provide flexibility, we will split this walk into four parts, offering you the choice to either return to Betws Y Coed or venture further to the next destination.
Walk from Betws Y Coed to Swallow Falls
Embark on a captivating journey as we lace up our hiking boots and set out on an enchanting walk from the picturesque village of Betws y Coed to the magnificent Swallow Falls. Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, this idyllic route offers a blend of serene woodlands, cascading waterfalls, and an abundance of natural wonders waiting to be discovered.
This section of the walk typically takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete. While it presents some moderate challenges, rest assured, it’s an absolute blast! Traverse the enchanting river banks, revelling in the thrill of manoeuvring over rocks that dot the flowing waters. This section is especially well-suited for families with young children, as their sense of wonder will be ignited. If the river happens to be running low, you’re in for a treat! Discover countless opportunities for the little ones to gleefully wade into the river, hopping from boulder to boulder—a guaranteed source of excitement and joy for the whole family.
Take your time to relish the breathtaking scenery during the walk, as there are numerous spots along the riverbanks where you can pause, sit down for a few moments, and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of nature.
Warning: If there has been lot of rain recently, it might not be safe to do this walk as it might get slippery and also river banks and some parts of path might be flooded. So if not sure check with tourist information office or the accommodation you are saying if its safe to do it during the time of your stay.
Starting point: Walk starts from Pont-y-Pair Bridge in Betws. at Pont-y-Pair Bridge in Betws. Upon crossing the bridge from the A5 road, take an immediate left turn, where you’ll find a convenient car park on your right. Directly opposite the car park, embark on the path that winds through a charming forested area, leading you to a spacious and serene riverside expanse. Stay on this path as it gracefully meanders alongside the tranquil riverbanks.
Continuing onwards, a clearly marked path unfolds along the right side of the river, guiding your footsteps. Immerse yourself in the captivating journey, relishing the ever-changing scenery and the soothing symphony of flowing water. This picturesque spot is an ideal setting for a delightful picnic or a moment of pure relaxation, away from the crowds often found near Pont-y-Pair Bridge.
You will cross a little footbridge as in the image above. Amazing scenery awaits you from here till Swallow falls.
You will pass through mostly wooded areas with river always to your left. Always keep to the path right next to the river. From time to time there will be many paths you will see splitting to your right but at all times, try to keep on the main path that follows the river banks most of time.
After around 15 minutes walk you will reach Miners Bridge. This is a beautiful place to take in the amazing views and enjoy the river. Its a good section for children to jump around rocks as well.
Once you leave Miners Bridge, again follow the path along the banks of the river with the river always on your left-hand side. Soon you will see a wired fence alongside the path, this will follow the path for a good 10-15 minutes. Keep going on the path by the riverbanks. In some places, the path won’t be very visible because it gets eroded when the river floods the banks. See the images below to understand what we mean.
You will cross a small stream of water (quarry water), and after a while, you will see a beautiful forest area to your right.
Eventually, you will come across a slightly flat area by river banks. Get through this area and keep following the path. You will cross a small stream ( this might be dry if there is no rain for a while) with slate. Cross this and turn right to join a wider track for a little while, before you again see a path going left. Take this path, you will cross a footbridge.
Once you cross this footbridge you are not far from Swallow Falls. You will see now path will ascend quickly, with a wired fence to your left. After 5-10 minutes walk you will see the viewing area to your left. There is a bench here, you can sit and enjoy the view of the falls for a while. When we visited it was a very dry period and there was not substantial water in the falls. Still, it was amazing to sit among nature, relax and hear the sound of swallow falls.
After taking a good rest, taking in views and probably enjoying a snack, it’s time to move. You have two options here. You can walk from here to Tynllwyn (A beautiful viewpoint with a nice sitting area and explore Lake Bodgynydd). Or you can walk to the Ugly house, relax, and have tea or coffee with cakes. Or why not enjoy lunch at the Ugly House? Both options we have covered below
Walk from Swallow Falls to Tynllwyn
20-30 mins
Walk from Tynllwyn to Llyn Bodgynydd lake
15 minutes
Walk from Llyn Bodgynydd to Ugly House
45 minutes
Walk from Ugly House to Betws Y Coed
1 hour
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