Tucked away in the heart of Wales and a closely guarded secret is Snowdonia’s Secret Waterfall! With its impressive drop, serene landscape and quiet location, it’s the perfect place to escape to. I was finally able to visit after months of waiting due to lockdowns and restrictions — and it was totally worth the wait.
Finding the falls
It’s not on the typical tourist trail and takes time and effort to find — which is exactly why it hasn’t been ruined by rubbish or crowds.
The research
Hours on the map
It took me a few hours of articles, forums and cross-referenced maps to work out which part of the national park it was in. For some people it takes months.
The walk
A long way in
It’s a long walk, and once you’re there it’s not the most obvious thing to find. Treat it as an explore, and enjoy the trails on the way.
The reward
Often, all to yourself
It’s a very quiet part of Wales, so you hardly see anyone. Having the whole place to yourself makes it even more special.
After the wettest May on record
After the wettest May in Wales since records began, every river and stream was flowing full — the perfect time to photograph waterfalls, though I didn’t expect this one to be quite so ferocious.
The trails
A game of hopscotch
Many of the paths had turned into a partial stream. You either land on rocks and higher ground, or take a leap of faith and jump straight across.
The boots
Blundstones weren’t enough
I thought my Blundstones would be okay — they got completely soaked through. Wellies and waterproof trousers would have been a better choice.
The last stretch
Sharp and slippy
The path down to the waterfall itself is dangerous in places, with sharp rock edges and extremely slippy surfaces. Take it slowly.
Being stood at the base of the waterfall you really feel how intense the power of water is.
Photographing the falls
The body
Canon 5D Mark III
A full-frame body paired with a wide-angle lens was the perfect combination for capturing the whole scene.
The lens
16–35mm wide angle
Wide enough to get the full drop and the gorge in one frame, standing almost underneath the smaller falls.
The tripod
Left it folded
I opted for faster shutter speeds instead, to cut down the time the glass was exposed to spray. Some frames still have water spots.
Good to know
Before you go
- Wear wellies After rain the trails run like streams. Waterproof trousers and wellies beat walking boots here.
- Pack a waterproof Getting to the base means walking almost underneath the smaller falls — I got soaked to the bone after leaving my jacket in the car.
- Bring dry clothes Leave a change of clothes and shoes in the car for the drive home.
- Expect noise The volume of water is deafening at the base — you have to shout to be heard.
- Keep exploring There are woodland trails that go on for miles around the falls, so leave time to wander.
Further reading
A few books I recommend for finding and photographing waterfalls and hidden gems across Snowdonia and North Wales.
fotoVUE
Photographing North Wales
Locations, viewpoints and the best times to visit and photograph them.
Guidebook
Snowdonia’s Waterfalls
A guide to the epic waterfalls across Snowdonia National Park.
Guidebook
The Photographer’s Guide to Snowdonia & North Wales
Incredible locations, from the mountains to the coast.
