Rhaeadr Mawddach and Pistyll Cain from Tyddyn Gwladys

The walk starts from the Tyddyn Gwladys car park in Coed y Brenin forest, near Ganllwyd. A forest road leads north along the River Mawddach in a steep-sided valley under big trees, past the remains of a gunpowder factory and of gold mining works, to the two waterfalls, Pistyll Cain and Rhaeadr Mawddach. The way back crosses the river and follows the other side of the valley to the car park. The Gwynfynydd gold mine, up the valley, closed in 1999.

It is 3.5 km with 101 m of ascent; allow about 1 hour. The grade is Easy.

Stay on the waymarked paths: Natural Resources Wales warns that the old mine workings and buildings may be unsafe and that there are unprotected drops into the river gorges. The forest road is shared with mountain bikers, one stretch before the falls is very rough, and there is a short steep climb (1 in 5) after leaving them.

The Tyddyn Gwladys car park shows no fee in OpenStreetMap, but Natural Resources Wales charges at its Coed y Brenin car parks: check the sign. It is on a lane a mile off the A470 north of Ganllwyd.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.