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Rhaeadr Du

Waterfall in Merionethshire

Wales

Rhaeadr Du

St Twrog's Parish Church, Maentwrog
St Twrog's Parish Church, Maentwrog Credit: John H Darch

Rhaeadr Du, also known as the Black Waterfall, is a stunning natural wonder located in Merionethshire, Wales. This captivating waterfall is situated in the scenic and remote Cwm Pennant valley, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.

The Rhaeadr Du waterfall is renowned for its impressive height, with water cascading down a sheer rock face for approximately 100 feet. The water originates from the Afon Dwyfor river, which flows through the valley, adding to the beauty and serenity of the surroundings. The name "Rhaeadr Du" translates to "Black Waterfall" in Welsh, a fitting name for this majestic sight.

Visitors can access the waterfall via a well-maintained footpath, which winds through lush greenery and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The area around Rhaeadr Du is rich in flora and fauna, with various species of birds, butterflies, and wildflowers found in abundance.

The waterfall provides an excellent opportunity for photographers, as the powerful rush of water and the picturesque backdrop create a mesmerizing scene. Additionally, the sound of the water crashing against the rocks adds to the overall sensory experience, making it a truly immersive natural attraction.

While Rhaeadr Du is a relatively remote location, it is worth the journey for those seeking a peaceful and awe-inspiring encounter with nature.

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Rhaeadr Du Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.930211/-3.9848178 or Grid Reference SH6638. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Twrog's Parish Church, Maentwrog
St Twrog's Parish Church, Maentwrog
DAF Truck on the A487 near Plas Farm The A487 is one of the most important roads in Wales. It covers the majority of the west coast from St Davids to Menai Bridge, and is a primary route for most of its length, including a section where it multiplexes with the A470, another important north-south road. Along the way, it runs through two national parks: Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire Coast. Despite its length and importance, it is predominantly single carriageway, although the road has been upgraded in numerous places. It is 174 miles long. <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A487" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A487">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
DAF Truck on the A487 near Plas Farm
The A487 is one of the most important roads in Wales. It covers the majority of the west coast from St Davids to Menai Bridge, and is a primary route for most of its length, including a section where it multiplexes with the A470, another important north-south road. Along the way, it runs through two national parks: Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire Coast. Despite its length and importance, it is predominantly single carriageway, although the road has been upgraded in numerous places. It is 174 miles long. LinkExternal link
Chapel at Maentwrog The old chapel beside the A487 at Maentwrog. The picture is taken from a car crossing the Afon Dwyryd bridge in the Vale of Ffestiniog at the junction with the A496.
Chapel at Maentwrog
The old chapel beside the A487 at Maentwrog. The picture is taken from a car crossing the Afon Dwyryd bridge in the Vale of Ffestiniog at the junction with the A496.
The Old School, Maentwrog Grade II listed late C19 school in the centre of the village
The Old School, Maentwrog
Grade II listed late C19 school in the centre of the village
The River Dwyryd from Maentwrog Bridge
The River Dwyryd from Maentwrog Bridge
The A487 at its junction with the A496 Maentwrog Road
The A487 at its junction with the A496 Maentwrog Road
Gate on the Cambrian Way Here the long distance path runs by the grounds of Cae Einion Alan [residential house]. To the left is cycle route 82 which emerges by the Trawsfynydd power station building.
Gate on the Cambrian Way
Here the long distance path runs by the grounds of Cae Einion Alan [residential house]. To the left is cycle route 82 which emerges by the Trawsfynydd power station building.
Gate on cycle route 82 The route leads to Trawfynydd power station and beyond.
Gate on cycle route 82
The route leads to Trawfynydd power station and beyond.
On the Cambrian Way - briefly The Cambrian Way branches here, heading for Maentwrog. My route is to the left, heading for Ivy Bridge to cross Afon Prysor.
On the Cambrian Way - briefly
The Cambrian Way branches here, heading for Maentwrog. My route is to the left, heading for Ivy Bridge to cross Afon Prysor.
Mountain road through Coed Pennyglannau Most of the forestry on the right has been clear-felled.
Mountain road through Coed Pennyglannau
Most of the forestry on the right has been clear-felled.
Track leading to Ty'n-y-bryn A farm track, not marked as a right of way, nor is it access land. However, it does converge with a public path by the wall ahead, hence the ladder stile. The path eventually joins the Cambrian Way, between Maentwrog and Gellilydan, by a somewhat meandering route. The track now forms part of the new Maentwrog Circular walk <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/maentwrog-circular-walk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/maentwrog-circular-walk">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Track leading to Ty'n-y-bryn
A farm track, not marked as a right of way, nor is it access land. However, it does converge with a public path by the wall ahead, hence the ladder stile. The path eventually joins the Cambrian Way, between Maentwrog and Gellilydan, by a somewhat meandering route. The track now forms part of the new Maentwrog Circular walk LinkExternal link
Waymarker for the new Maentwrog Circular Route A new walk of some 10½ miles, encompassing Maentwrog, Tan-y-bwlch, Penrhynseudraeth, Llandecwyn and back to Maentwrog <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/maentwrog-circular-walk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/maentwrog-circular-walk">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Waymarker for the new Maentwrog Circular Route
A new walk of some 10½ miles, encompassing Maentwrog, Tan-y-bwlch, Penrhynseudraeth, Llandecwyn and back to Maentwrog LinkExternal link
Uplands road leading to Maentwrog power station
Uplands road leading to Maentwrog power station
Road through Coed Felenrhyd Bach Eventually leading down into Cwm Prysor and joining the A496 by Maentwrog Power Station.
Road through Coed Felenrhyd Bach
Eventually leading down into Cwm Prysor and joining the A496 by Maentwrog Power Station.
Access gate to Ceunant Llennyrch A National (Wales) nature Reserve.
Access gate to Ceunant Llennyrch
A National (Wales) nature Reserve.
Road by Felen Rhyd Fach Approaching Maentwrog power station and the junction with the A496.
Road by Felen Rhyd Fach
Approaching Maentwrog power station and the junction with the A496.
Path leading to Ivy Bridge Once an important thoroughfare, leading to the old crossing of Afon Prysor. Now seemingly little used, given the state of the overgrowth. The fence marks the boundary of the Maentwrog power station site.
Path leading to Ivy Bridge
Once an important thoroughfare, leading to the old crossing of Afon Prysor. Now seemingly little used, given the state of the overgrowth. The fence marks the boundary of the Maentwrog power station site.
Ivy Bridge across Afon Prysor Grade II listed, on the packhorse route from Maentwrog to Harlech. CADW <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=83453" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=83453">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> has it as being C18 or earlier. Other reports show that it is as early as C16.
Ivy Bridge across Afon Prysor
Grade II listed, on the packhorse route from Maentwrog to Harlech. CADW LinkExternal link has it as being C18 or earlier. Other reports show that it is as early as C16.
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Rhaeadr Du is located at Grid Ref: SH6638 (Lat: 52.930211, Lng: -3.9848178)

Unitary Authority: Gwynedd

Police Authority: North Wales

What 3 Words

///diner.eyebrows.alley. Near Maentwrog, Gwynedd

Nearby Locations

Coed Nyth-y-frân Rhaeadr Du Coed Cefn-faes Coed Llenyrch Llech-y-cwrn Covert Coed Cae'n-y-coed

Related Wikis

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Ceunant Llennyrch National Nature Reserve
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Gellilydan
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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.930211,-3.9848178
Rhaeadr Ddu Waterfalls
Waterway: yes
Lat/Long: 52.9298562/-3.9850104
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.9343358/-3.9830434
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: stile
Bicycle: no
Foot: yes
Material: wood
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 52.92803/-3.98142
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Ford: yes
Lat/Long: 52.9322429/-3.9837136
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
FIXME: incomplete
Lat/Long: 52.9330548/-3.9868523
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: stile
Bicycle: no
Foot: yes
Stile: squeezer
Lat/Long: 52.9273186/-3.9792572
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Ford: stepping_stones
Lat/Long: 52.9281791/-3.9880763
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: stile
Bicycle: yes
Foot: yes
Material: wood
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 52.9283174/-3.9883692
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: stile
Bicycle: yes
Foot: yes
Material: wood
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 52.9294096/-3.9854665
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Waterway: waterfall
Lat/Long: 52.9301178/-3.9851242
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 52.9302632/-3.9852546
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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