Lonely Planet EnglandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet England
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet England covering Teesdale and Ullswater, the settings of High Force and Aira Force.
United Kingdom · Capel Curig
Swallow Falls
Swallow Falls is a multiple waterfall system in Wales, on the River Llugwy near Betws-y-Coed in Conwy County Borough.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Swallow Falls drops over a series of steps. It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Llanrwst, United Kingdom. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Swallow Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Llanrwst are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
Getting there
- Base town Llanrwst, United Kingdom
- Country United Kingdom
- Region Capel Curig, British Isles, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Swallow Falls
United Kingdom
Height—Width—
Most similar
Langfoss
Norway
Height612 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall and in Norway
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
330 m
612 m
979 m
Victoria FallsEiffel TowerLangfossAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
We don't have a reliable crest width for Swallow Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
Lonely Planet ScotlandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Scotland
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet Scotland covering Glen Nevis, Kintail and the Moffat area.
The Rough Guide to ScotlandRough Guides
Guidebook
The Rough Guide to Scotland
Rough Guides · 2025
Current Rough Guide with Highland and Borders detail for Steall, Glomach and Grey Mare's Tail trips.
Lonely Planet WalesLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Wales
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet Wales covering the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) and its waterfall country.
On the map
53.1025, -3.84667
Quick answers
Where is Swallow Falls?
Swallow Falls is in United Kingdom (Capel Curig). The nearest base is Llanrwst, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 53.1025, -3.8467.
When is the best time to visit Swallow Falls?
Peak flow is April to June and October. Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
What can you do at Swallow Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Swallow Falls?
The usual base is Llanrwst, United Kingdom. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Swallow Falls
Devil's Appendix
United Kingdom · 93 m · 13 km away
The Devil's Appendix is the tallest single-drop waterfall in Wales and one of the tallest in the United…
Aber Falls
United Kingdom · 37 m · 16 km away
Aber Falls is a waterfall located about two miles south of the village of Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, Wales. The…
Pistyll Rhaeadr
United Kingdom · 40 km away
Pistyll Rhaeadr Rhaeadr") is a waterfall 4 miles from the village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant in Powys, Wales…
Dolgoch Falls
United Kingdom · 50 km away
The Dolgoch Falls are a series of three waterfalls near Tywyn in Gwynedd, North Wales. The falls are part of…