Rhiwargor Waterfall Walk
0.9 miles (1.5 km)Visit these beautiful falls near Lake Vyrnwy on this short walk in Powys. The Rhiwargor Trail takes you along the Afon Eiddew to a series of pretty waterfalls.
You can park at the Rhiwargor Waterfall car park at the northern end of the lake with postcode SY10 0NE for your sat navs.... From here you get direct access to the footpaths along the river to the falls. It's a lovely area with the rushing river surrounded by attractive woodland and the steep hills of the Afon Eiddew Valley. There's picnic areas by the water, nice grassy paths and a stream crossing on some stepping stones.
You can extend your walk by strolling along the lovely Lake Vyrnwy. The area is also a RSPB nature reserve so you can look out for a variety of birds including great crested grebes, dippers and buzzards.
There's bike hire at the southern end of the lake so you could hire a bike and cycle to the falls from Llanwddyn.
Walk Report October 2nd 2026 By Claire Williams:
We parked at the Rhiwargor Waterfall car park at the northern end of Lake Vyrnwy and set off along the river towards the falls. It's worth putting the actual car park into your sat nav rather than simply searching for the waterfall, as the directions can take you to the wrong place. The parking area is free and has space for a reasonable number of cars, although I imagine it could fill up on a busy summer weekend. There was also a little coffee stall nearby, which looked handy for a drink before or after the walk.
The walk up to the waterfall was lovely and straightforward, following a gravelly path beside the Afon Eiddew. It only took us around 15 minutes to reach the falls, so it's a great little outing if you don't fancy a long hike. The sound of the rushing water gradually gets louder as you approach, and the woodland and steep valley sides make the setting feel quite secluded. I loved the contrast between the greenery and the rocky river, and it was a lovely spot to stop and take some photographs.
The waterfall itself was even more impressive than I'd expected. There are several tiers to the cascade, with water tumbling over the rocks into the river below. We enjoyed looking at it from the lower level, where you can get some lovely views and photographs, but I could see why people make the effort to explore a little higher up. The upper sections look particularly spectacular, with the water running through the rocky gorge and lush vegetation giving parts of the valley an almost tropical feel. There isn't a formal path all the way to the top, though, so I wouldn't recommend scrambling up unless conditions are dry and you have suitable footwear. The rocks can be slippery, particularly after rain.
We spent a while enjoying the riverside setting. The water is fairly shallow in places, and there are spots where children can paddle, although I'd keep a close eye on them around the faster-flowing sections. The stepping stones across the stream are another little feature that adds to the fun, but they could be more awkward after heavy rain when the water is higher. There are also grassy areas beside the river that make nice places to sit and enjoy the surroundings, so it's worth bringing a picnic if you fancy making more of the visit. There are no toilets at the waterfall car park, so bear that in mind before setting off.
I particularly liked how peaceful the valley felt. Although the falls are quite a popular attraction, the short walk means you can enjoy the scenery without having to spend hours on the trail. We noticed plenty of interesting spots along the river, and I would have happily stayed longer exploring the different viewpoints and watching the water cascading over the rocks. There were a few insects buzzing around in the warmer weather, but that's part of being out in a lush riverside setting!
After enjoying the falls, we returned to the car park and took a little time to appreciate the scenery around the northern end of Lake Vyrnwy. It's well worth combining the waterfall with a stroll beside the lake, which has some wonderful views and plenty of opportunities to look out for wildlife. The surrounding area is an RSPB nature reserve, so keep an eye out for birds around the water and woodland. I'd love to return with a little more time to explore the lakeside paths as well.
Rhiwargor Waterfall is a lovely place to visit if you're in the Lake Vyrnwy area. The walk is short and accessible for most people, but the waterfall and its wooded valley make it feel like a proper little adventure. I'd recommend sturdy footwear if you want to explore beyond the main viewing area, and taking care on the stepping stones, especially after rain. It's a beautiful corner of Wales and well worth seeking out.
Postcode: SY10 0NE
Pubs and More Info
After your exercise head to the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel for some afternoon tea in the outdoor seating area which has fine views over the lake. You can find the hotel on the eastern side of the water at postcode SY10 0LY.
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