Did you know there are gold mines in wales? Well, it’s true! and by the time this mine was closed in 1998 it had produced the equivalent of 44 million pounds worth of gold in today's market! 

Tucked away in the heart of Coed-y-brenin forest, this walk takes you steadily along fire road tracks following the river Mawddach to not one but two of my favourite lesser-known waterfalls! And even just the drive through the forest to Tyddyn Gwladys car park, is stunning enough to make this walk worthwhile!  But then once you're on the trail you also get treated to a constant display of the mining history here -, with old mine buildings and “beware keep out” at various shafts and caves

Around 2km into the walk you will reach the impressive Pistyll Gain waterfall and a little further on will find Afon Mawddach waterfall, both .waterfalls are inaccessible but can definitely be appreciated from afar!

We did this walk on a rainy stormy day which I think is the perfect weather for waterfall walks, but if you’re lucky enough to drop on this walk on a sunny day, then be prepared for lots of splashing and river play!

here’s what else we loved about it….

❤️ Old mine buildings and ruins dotted along the trail

❤2 huge waterfalls

❤️ Fire road paths making this route pram friendly

❤️ Riverside walk with a few spots for the kids to paddle in

❤️ Carpark has easy access to the river and a great paddle spot for kids

👣 Walk info... 👣

LENGTH: 3.8km

TIME IT TOOK US TO COMPLETE: 1.5 hours with lots of stops to play and explore

PARKING: Tyddyn Gwladys car park - Free

What3words: ///shape.jaundice.awoke

(no height barrier, limited parking, but big enough for motorhomes and LWB vans - however the drive to the carpark is along single track woodland roads)

TOILETS: Closest toilets are at coed-y-brenin visitor centre

FOOD & DRINK: No cafe here so bring a picnic - there are picnic benches at the car park

PRAM FRIENDLY: Yes, the route is a long a pram friendly woodland track

DOG FRIENDLY?: Yes

OS ROUTE MAP:

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/21324274/pistyll-cain-waterfall-and-gold-mine-walk?lat=52.824449&lon=-3.880953&zoom=15.3841&style=Standard&type=2d&params=21324274&params=pistyll-cain-waterfall-and-gold-mine-walk