Dolgoch Falls Walk
Travel on the marvellous Talyllyn Railway to Dolgoch and visit the beautiful Dolgoch Falls on this circular walk in the Snowdonia National Park.
You can pick up the steam operated railway from the seaside town of Tywyn on the Cardigan Bay coast. It will then take you on a lovely journey through the Fathew valley to Dolgoch where a short walk will take you to the falls. There are footpaths taking you to the three levels of the falls which are spectacular in wet weather. Some of the paths are quite steep and can get a bit wet so a reasonable level of fitness and a good pair of walking shoes is advisable if you are going to do the whole trail.
If you'd like to continue your walking in the area you can enjoy waymarked woodland walks in the Nant Gwernol ravine. Alight at Nant Gwernol station to enjoy these walks.
Postcode
LL36 9UW - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsDolgoch Falls Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Dolgoch Falls Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Dolgoch Falls OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Dolgoch Falls Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head to the The Dolgoch Falls Hotel for some post walk refreshment. The hotel is set beneath the ravine in a lovely peaceful spot close to the falls. They have a large car park and a nice cafe with a good range of meals and snacks.
There are also picnic benches dotted around the path if you prefer to bring your own food.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head west and you can try some coastal walking along the estuary of the River Dyfi at Aberdovey.
A few miles to the east there's the beautiful Tal-y-llyn Lake where you can enjoy a lakeside trail and a cream tea at the adjacent hotel. The popular and challenging climb to Cadair Idris and the shorter walk to Llyn Cau can also be started near here.
Just south of the lake there's the worthy village of Abergynolwyn to visit. The historic settlement is located on the heritage Talyllyn Railway and includes pleasant trails along the Nant Gwernol waterfalls to the old Bryn Eglwys Quarry. Near here you can also explore the mediaeval remains of Castell Y Bere.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Snowdonia Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Dolgoch Falls hotel and car park
The way to the falls. The track from the station to the falls crosses this land on an elevated wooden walkway. Reminded me of the Bradbury short story 'The Sound of Thunder' so was very careful not to step off the path or tread on any butterflies.
The falls are framed by lush woodland, where native broadleaf trees such as oak, birch, and rowan stand alongside patches of conifer, creating a rich, green canopy that filters the dappled sunlight. This dramatic setting provides panoramic views of the surrounding rugged hills and the valley below, evoking a sense of both wild beauty and serene isolation.
Dolgoch Falls viaduct. A Talyllyn Railway train from Tywyn crosses the viaduct. The falls are in close proximity to the historic Talyllyn Railway, one of the world’s oldest preserved narrow-gauge railways, which adds an extra dimension to any visit by combining natural beauty with industrial history. The dramatic landscape and tranquil ambience have long inspired artists, photographers, and writers, making it a favourite subject in local folklore and creative works.
Downstream from the falls.
Hills and countryside view from above the falls
Path back to Dolgoch station, from the falls
Bluebell woods. Deciduous woodland and bluebells in Nant Dol-gôch valley. The area around Dolgoch Falls supports a diverse array of flora and fauna that typify the temperate, maritime climate of Snowdonia. On the woodland floor, spring brings a carpet of bluebells, wood anemones, and primroses, while ferns, mosses, and liverworts thrive on the damp rock faces and in the crevices of the cascading falls. The swift, cool waters of the falls host aquatic invertebrates, such as mayflies and caddisflies, which in turn attract a variety of bird species including dippers, kingfishers, and other woodland passerines. Red squirrels and other small mammals may also be spotted darting between the trees, completing this vibrant natural mosaic.