Fairy Glen is a narrow, wooded gorge on the River Conwy about one mile south of Betws-y-Coed. The river cuts through a series of ancient rock formations here, creating pools, cascades, and overhanging crags clothed in mosses and ferns. It is smaller and less visited than Swallow Falls, and offers a more intimate and secluded experience of the Conwy valley’s woodland character.
The Glen
The River Conwy narrows dramatically as it passes through the glen, squeezing between great rounded boulders before opening into calmer pools below. The combination of rushing water, twisted oak trees, and deep green mosses gives the place a distinctly otherworldly quality that has made it a beauty spot for visitors since Victorian times. After heavy rain the water level rises significantly and the cascades become considerably more powerful.
Access
Fairy Glen is accessed from a lay-by on the B4406 between Betws-y-Coed and Penmachno. A footpath leads from the lay-by down to the river and into the gorge. The path involves some scrambling over uneven rock and can be slippery when wet — walking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. There is no admission charge. The site is quiet even in summer and makes a good short walk from the village.
Combination Walks
Fairy Glen is often combined with a walk to the Conwy Falls viewpoint a little further south, where the river drops over a larger fall into a deep pool. The B4406 connects the two sites by road, or they can be reached on foot from Betws-y-Coed via the riverside path.