Ffynone is an often-overlooked waterfall in West Wales, but being just a 20-minute drive from Cardigan, it’s very easy to access and usually pretty quiet too.
I recently visited the waterfall myself and have put together this helpful guide with some background information and step-by-step instructions. I’ll also explain how you can turn the walk into a circular trail so that you don’t walk back on yourself.
About Ffynone Waterfall
Ffynone Waterfall is a small waterfall formed by Afon Dulas (the Dulas River) as it runs through Ffynone Woods in the Cwm Cych valley of West Wales. Afon Dulas eventually flows into Afon Teifi (the Teifi River) which flows into the sea at Cardigan Bay.
Afon Dulas is a protected site of special scientific interest (see Afon Teifi SSSI) and a special area of conservation.
Note: Afon Dulas is not to be confused with Afon Dulais which is south of the Brecon Beacons.
At the base of Ffynone Waterfall is a large pool where you can swim. There are also several small benches which make a good picnic area.
Pwyll and the Legend of Ffynone Waterfall
According to the Mabinogi (legendary Welsh stories compiled in the middle ages), Ffynone Waterfall is the gateway to Annwfn, an underworld that lies much deeper than our own.
It is said that Pwyll, King of Dyfed, swapped places with Arawn, King of Annwfn (the underworld) for a year and a day using the portal at Ffynone Waterfall.
Pwyll later became known as Pwyll Pen Annwn and is an important figure in Welsh mythology as the husband of Rhiannon and whose son became the hero Pryderi.
You can read the full story here.
How To Visit Ffynone Waterfall
So, now that you know everything about the waterfall, let's find out how you can visit yourself.
Where to Park? There is a large free car park at Ffynone waterfall near the entrance to Ffynone woods. The postcode for the car park is SA37 0HQ and the GPS coordinates are 52.0140562,-4.566406. You can also follow this Google Maps pin to find it.
From the car park, look for the large sign with the map and head through the gate next to it.
To reach the waterfall, simply follow the path straight without turning off. On your way, you'll walk alongside the unnamed lake formed by the river and past the abandoned Pont Newydd cottage. Both of these will be on your left-hand side as you walk towards the waterfall.
Once you reach the waterfall, it's also possible to climb around the edges and get a bird's eye view, however, be warned as the edges here are very steep and sudden so I wouldn’t recommend this part for young children.
Additional Visitor Information
How Much is Ffynone Waterfall?
There is no charge to visit Ffynone Waterfall and parking is free too.
What Facilities Are There?
There are no facilities at Ffynone Waterfall which means there is no toilet or shop. However, you are in the middle of a forest so when nature calls…
Is Ffynone Waterfall Dog-Friendly?
Yes, Ffynone waterfall and the waterfall walk are dog-friendly, however, there may be wildlife about on the walk so you should keep them under close control.
Is Ffynone Waterfall Wheelchair Friendly?
Yes, the path to Ffynone Waterfall is accessible and suitable for wheelchairs and push chairs. However, the circular walk is not as you need to climb across the river. Other parts of the woodland are also accessible, including most of the path that runs around the lake.
Ffynone Waterfall Walk
From the waterfall, it’s possible to continue on a circular walk and loop back around to the car park instead of following the same path back. This will also take you around the other side of the lake, past some edible forest gardens, and along scenic (and very peaceful) back roads.
To follow the loop, you'll need to cross over the river which flows from the base of the waterfall. This can be a challenge depending upon how wet the weather has been and means that the walk isn’t suitable for people with mobility issues. I climbed across the fallen trees shown below to reach the path on the opposite side.
On the other side, the path splits into two as shown below. Continue on a slight right for the longer loop options or veer immediately left for the short loop.
Left: Short Loop, Right: Longer Loops
I've put together this AllTrails route for the short trail as this isn't clear on Google or Apple Maps.
Note: On the short loop, the first 20m or so of the pathway is not well maintained and it may feel like you’re going the wrong way, but it does open up to a wide trail after this.
Keep left at every junction and you'll return to Pont Newydd cottage which you passed on the way to the waterfall. From here it's right back to the cat park.
Look out for the edible edges as you make your way around, these will be noted by signs such as the one below. These contain edible products which are safe to eat. Use the images on the sign to understand what they are.
Published: 15 November 2022