Where
is it? In the heart of the beautiful Tal-y-Llyn Valley, southern
Snowdonia National Park, yet but 4 miles from the beaches of Tywyn.
How long will it take ? : Approximately 1 hour.
What's the attraction? : Waterfalls, mosses and ferns, trees
and rocks carpeted in rich emerald green moss. If you like moss, as
I do, you will like this walk!
Essentials : Picnic, as there is a nice picnic spot at the top
of the Falls. Good footwear
for the not so good stone steps. Maybe a towel as there are nice
pools at the top of the falls for paddling.
Rating : Mostly easy as it is a very short walk, but there are
some steep sections. Take care if you decide to return via the irregular
stone steps (not recommended) especially when wet.
Car Parking : Car Park, pay and display out side the Dolgoch
Falls hotel.
Facilities : Toilets (for use of Tea Room customers
only) and other refreshments are available
at the tea rooms in the Dolgoch Falls Hotel.
Directions : [ Map
of Dolgoch Falls Walk location ]
From the A487 Machynlleth to Dolgellau road take the B4405 near Minffordd, signposted
Tywyn. Travel down the Talyllyn valley past the beautiful Talyllyn Lake. Continue
through the village of Abergynolwyn until reaching Dolgoch. The Car Park is at
the front of the Dolgoch Falls Hotel.
Alternative Directions : From Tywyn take
the A493 road north to Fairbourne. After a couple of miles take the B4405 to
Dolgoch. The Car Park is at the front of the Dolgoch Falls Hotel. |
 |
This walk is probably no more than a
one mile round trip but I would allow at least an hour as time is 
needed
to take in the beautiful falls and also to safely traverse the irregular
stone steps. Turn left on leaving the Car Park and follow the path
through a gate and continue alongside the river. The first section of
the lane is in good condition and is suitable for wheelchair access
as far as the lower falls.
If you are lucky you may see the Talyllyn Railway steam train passing
overhead on the viaduct that bridges the Fathew Valley.
Unfortunately for me, although I heard the teasing sound of the engine
whistle several times I never spotted the train on the bridge! The lower
falls are a grand site and you can judge their height from the picture
below. To the left of the falls is an old miners cave that extends into
the rock face.
From the lower falls the path bears left and upwards, eventually splitting
into two paths. Choose the right fork as this keeps you close to the
river. Follow the path along the riverside. There are fantastic ferns
and mosses that carpet the hillside, the trees, and the rocks. You will
soon reach the steps that lead up to the 
middle and upper falls. Take
great care on the steps or you could have a nasty accident, especially
in the wet weather.
The local authorities have constructed the paths to enable walkers to
have great views of the middle falls.
From here it's on and upwards again but it's well worth the effort as
there is a lovely picnic site at the top of the walk and some nice pools
that invite a paddle, depending on the Welsh weather of course.
There are two options for the return route.
One option is to retrace your steps and take the steep rock steps
that are closer to the river on the way back down. But I would strongly
recommend the alternative path, better safe than
sorry! . It may not be as picturesque as the riverside
steps but it is a pleasant walk through the trees and most importantly
it by passes the irregular stone steps which are an accident waiting
to happen.
Follow the path through the woods and about halfway down the hillside
you will see a bridge crossing 
the river. Cross
the river and follow the path, there is a slight upwards section (but
look to your left and the hillside is carpeted with thick emerald green
moss) and then the path continues on this bank of the river to
the lower falls where you rejoin the tarmac path that leads you back
to the Car Park.
The woods are a haven for wildlife – look out for squirrels,
pied flycatchers and redstarts, among other
species. In the shade of the trees, besides the mosses and the ferns, you will
find plants like fluffy white flowered meadowsweet and golden
saxifrage.
The area was
originally given as a gift to the local people and while entry is free
of charge there is a donation box which helps towards the upkeep of the
footpaths.
