“There is a waterfall in every dream. Cool and crystal clear, it falls gently on the sleeper, cleansing the mind and soothing the soul.”

 
― Virginia Alison

 

 

SWALLOW FALLS (RHAEADR EWYNNOL) This waterfall on the Afon Llugwy has become a familiar natural celebrity over the past 100 years and has featured on film, postcard and canvas. While its principal viewpoints are situated on the south bank of the Llugwy with the convenience of ample parking along the A5 and within the hotel car park, it is observed far more dramatically if approached on foot along the northern bank.

 

Here, one follows a narrow, tortuous path - part hewed out of the rock face with grey. fissured, threatening crags overhanging part of the route on the one hand and a forbidding abyss clothed with stunted trees on the other. Spectacular and dramatic, this approach path was at one time in the care of Betws-y-Coed council workmen who took pride in maintaining its condition. Unless there has been a heavy rainfall the summer months do not always present the viewer with the most exhilarating aspect of this famous waterfall - one needs a November or March flood when the water cascades over the dark, indented, weather-scarred rocks in a foaming, spewing onrush of unrestrained energy.

 

Swallow falls is located on Afon Llugwy near Betws-y-Coed, in Conwy County Borough. It is thought that the English name arose from a mis-hearing of the Welsh word ewynnol (foaming) as the similar-sounding y wennol (swallow).