I visited Aber Falls and found the UK's best-kept secret

South Wales Argus

13 hours ago

When you think of the Eryri National Park, the mind automatically drifts towards Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Llyn (Lake) Tegid or UNESCO World Heritage Site Dinorwig Quarry.
But it's a hidden waterfall, described by UK Hidden Gems as the best in the UK, that is the National Park's most impressive feature.
Aber Falls is located in Conwy County, just a stone's throw from the A55, by the small village of Abergwyngregyn near the North Wales coast.
Aber Falls is located in the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. (Image: Patrick Glover)
What makes Aber Falls the UK's best hidden waterfall
I live in Llandudno, just over half an hour's drive away from Aber Falls.
My wife and I love our hikes and walking, and take up any excuse to get outdoors with our golden retriever Snowdon.
Aber Falls is one of our favourite walks, and here's why:
The walk to Aber Falls
While Aber Falls itself is a spectacle worth travelling for, the walk itself adds to the whole experience.
The walk directly there and back, which is well signposted, is just over 4km long, while there are circular routes that take in more of the surrounding countryside if you fancy a bit more of a challenge.
You can find information about different routes to and from Aber Falls via the AllTrails app.
The walk to Aber Falls takes you down the valley where you can enjoy views of the surrounding countryside.
Along the way, you will also pass remnants of old settlements from the Iron Age, as well as the Aber Valley Hut Circle.
The best bit is right before you get to the waterfall, you take some steps up a small incline, and as you reach the to,p Aber Falls comes into view.
The walk to Aber Falls make the experience that much more amazing. (Image: Patrick Glover)
The waterfall
Once there, it is a great spot to dip your toes in the river, sit down and enjoy a picnic, or simply stand and marvel at the 12-foot tall waterfall.
You can get right up close to the waterfall, without going into the water. So close it will feel like you are almost directly underneath it.
If you love your waterfalls, there is another, less visited one just a little further on. All you have to do is follow the path across the bridge.
Is the Aber Falls walk dog-friendly?
The added bonus about this walk is that it is dog-friendly. Although you will need to keep them on their lead as there are sheep by the path during the walk to Aber Falls.
For those with families, there is also a dedicated pushchair route.
Getting to Aber Falls
Getting to Aber Falls is relatively easy.
Simply take the Abergwyngregyn turn-off from the A55 (just past the Llanfairfechan roundabout) and then follow the single-track road to the Aber Falls Car Park.
While parking isn't free, it is reasonably priced at £5 for the entire day.
Fancy a drink? Aber Falls has its own distillery
The added bonus about this hidden gem is that it has its own distillery, albeit not on-site.
Aber Falls Distillery is the first whisky distillery in North Wales in more than 100 years and is located on the opposite side of the A55, close to the coast.
There you will find not just whisky, but a wide range of different gins, vodkas and liqueurs.
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You can also take a tour of the distillery (£10.50) or take part in a Gin Lab Experience (£80) where you will become a distiller for the afternoon and create your own personalised 70cl bottle using the finest Welsh ingredients.
Tours run daily between 10am and 4pm, while the shop is open until 6pm.
If you are simply after a cuppa and a cake, Aber Falls Distillery has a cafe too (open from 10am to 5pm) .