Introduction
Cenarth Falls may not be one of the biggest waterfalls in Wales, but what it lacks in height it certainly makes up for in character. Set in the pretty village of Cenarth on the River Teifi, the falls tumble through a rocky gorge surrounded by woodland, making this a lovely spot to explore.
One of the best things about Cenarth Falls is how easy it is to visit. There’s no long hike or difficult trail to tackle before you get to the waterfall, making it a great choice for a relaxed day out. You can enjoy the falls, explore the riverside and have a wander around the village without needing to dedicate an entire day to it.
Cenarth is also famous for its salmon leap. At the right time of year, usually during the autumn months, salmon and sewin make their way upstream and can sometimes be seen attempting to leap up the falls. It’s an unusual feature that gives Cenarth Falls something a little different from many other Welsh waterfalls.
In this guide, I’ll explain where to park, what the walk is like, what to expect from the falls and the best time to visit.
Quick Verdict of Cenarth Falls
Cenarth Falls is a lovely little waterfall with plenty of character. It’s not somewhere I’d visit expecting a huge, powerful cascade, but the combination of the waterfall, river, woodland and pretty village makes it a really pleasant place to spend some time.
The fact that it’s so easy to reach is a big bonus too, particularly if you’re exploring West Wales and want to fit a waterfall stop into your day without committing to a long walk.
If you’re exploring this part of West Wales, I’d definitely add Cenarth Falls to your list. And if you can visit during the salmon season, even better.
Key Information
- Waterfall Height: No single vertical drop – a series of cascades
- Waterfall Type: Cascade
- Starting Point: Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9JL (car park as detailed below)
- Parking: £3 Parking at Cenarth Falls Car Park | what3words among.tweed.puzzle
- Public Transport: Buses available to Cenarth
- Walk: 0.9 miles/1.4 km return or 1.25 miles/2 km circular
- Time: 2 minutes to the waterfall. Allow 1 hour if completing the circular walk
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchairs
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Dogs: With caution due to algae present in the water
- Swimming: Not advised
- Toilets: Yes
Where to Park for Cenarth Falls
Cenarth Falls is really easy to get to, which is one of the things that makes it such a good waterfall to visit. The main car park is right next to the historic 18th-century road bridge in the village of Cenarth, so there’s no long walk to reach the falls.
If you’re driving to Cenarth, follow the signs into the village and look out for the car park next to the bridge. Once parked, the falls are just a short walk away, with the river and waterfall immediately around the bridge area.
The road through Cenarth can be quite narrow in places, particularly around the bridge and village, so take your time when driving in. During busy periods the car park can also fill up, so arriving earlier in the day is worth considering.
The car park is £3 for all-day parking or you can find free parking at St Llawddog’s Well Car Park and it is possible at certain times of day to snag some free parking on the road leading to the bridge.
Tip: Save the parking location and route directions on your phone, or take a printed copy with you, as phone signal can be spotty.
Cenarth Falls Walk
When you arrive at the car park, the falls are right there. You can simply get out of your car, walk to the edge of the car park and see the waterfall, but I would definitely recommend going a little further to appreciate the full beauty of this stretch of the River Teifi and to keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
From the car park, you can also see the old watermill and its water wheel across the river, which is a lovely sight alongside the waterfall and surrounding woodland. It really adds to the character of the area and is one of my favourite features of the walk.
The boardwalk starts on the left-hand side of the car park and follows the river for approximately 0.45 miles (0.72 km). Walking to the end and back again is around 0.9 miles (1.44 km) and should take roughly 30–40 minutes at a leisurely pace, allowing time to stop and enjoy the views.
If you fancy a longer walk, you can extend this into a circular route of around 1.25 miles (2 km). At the end of the boardwalk, there is a short but steep section of hill to the left which takes you up towards the country lane. From here, you can follow the lane around and back towards the village.
The boardwalk section is wheelchair accessible and is also a great option for families, providing an easy way to enjoy the river without needing to tackle a longer or more difficult walk. The circular route is more suitable in dry weather, as the initial steep section can be challenging and may become slippery when wet.
Dogs are welcome along the route, although some dogs may find the gaps between the boards on the boardwalk a little unsettling. I’d also recommend keeping dogs out of the river, as there have been reports of algae in the water which can be poisonous to dogs.
Accessibility: The boardwalk route is suitable for wheelchairs; however, the full circular route may not be due to the steep incline after the end of the boardwalk.
Cenarth Falls
Cenarth Falls is a little different from some of the waterfalls featured on this site, as it isn’t one large, dramatic drop. Instead, the River Teifi flows through a rocky channel, cascading and rushing over a series of rocky ledges and smaller drops before continuing downstream.
The falls are surrounded by woodland, with large moss-covered rocks and the old stone mill sitting alongside the river, which gives the whole area a lovely character. When the river is flowing well, the water makes its way through the narrow rocky sections with quite a bit of force, and you can really appreciate how the shape of the riverbed has created the different cascades.
When I visited in early September, the water level was fairly low, so some of the higher rocky sections were much more exposed and the water was mainly flowing across the lower cascades. After a good amount of rainfall, I imagine Cenarth Falls looks very different, with much more water rushing through the rocks.
Although it isn’t the tallest waterfall, I think Cenarth Falls is best appreciated for the setting rather than its size. The combination of the rushing river, rocky gorge, moss-covered rocks, surrounding woodland and historic mill makes it a really picturesque spot, and there are plenty of different angles from which to see the falls.
Swimming at Cenarth Falls
Although the water around Cenarth Falls is deep enough to swim in and you may see people taking a dip, swimming at the falls themselves is not recommended.
The waterfall runs over several rocky sections, creating fast-flowing rapids and small pools, and the strength of the water can make conditions unpredictable. The rocks around the falls can also be extremely slippery, so great care should be taken if you venture away from the main viewing areas.
I’d recommend enjoying Cenarth Falls from the boardwalk and viewing areas rather than getting into the water. There’s no need to risk it when you can enjoy the falls safely from the riverside.
If you’re considering swimming here, please read my Wild Swimming at Waterfalls guide before getting in. It covers some of the risks to consider and practical advice for staying safe around natural swimming spots.
Interesting Facts and Wildlife
Cenarth Falls is a great place to keep an eye out for wildlife, particularly if you take your time around the river rather than just stopping to look at the waterfall.
The most famous wildlife spectacle here is the salmon leap. During the autumn months, salmon and sea trout make their way upstream along the River Teifi, and you may be lucky enough to see them attempting to leap up the falls. It can be quite a sight if you happen to catch it.
Otters also live along the River Teifi, although they can be elusive, so spotting one is definitely a case of being in the right place at the right time. Keep an eye on the quieter parts of the river and along the riverbanks.
You may also spot kingfishers, particularly around the river, as well as a variety of other birds and wildlife in the surrounding woodland.
Cenarth has an interesting history too. The River Teifi has long been associated with fishing and coracle fishing, and the village is still home to the Coracle Museum. There has also been a watermill at Cenarth for centuries, adding even more character to this little riverside village.
So although Cenarth Falls isn’t a huge waterfall, there is plenty to look out for around the river, especially if you visit during the autumn salmon run.
Facilities and Nearby Attractions
Cenarth has a good selection of facilities for such a small village, making it easy to spend a little longer here rather than just stopping to see the waterfall.
There are public toilets close to the falls, along with a dog-friendly gift shop and café where you can grab something to eat or drink. There are also pubs and a tea room nearby if you fancy sitting down for a proper break.
One of the more unusual attractions in the village is the Coracle Museum, which is well worth a look while you’re here. Cenarth has a long history of coracle making and fishing on the River Teifi, so it adds a bit of extra interest to a visit to the falls.
With the waterfall, riverside, cafés, pubs and museum all within the village, Cenarth makes a nice little stop while exploring this part of West Wales.
Looking to explore more waterfalls nearby? I recommend checking out my Ffynone and Tresaith waterfall guides for more inspiration.
Best Time to Visit Cenarth Falls
Cenarth Falls can be visited all year round, but the time of year you choose can make a huge difference to how the waterfall looks.
I visited in early September and found the water level was fairly low. The water was mainly flowing across the lower cascades, which meant the different levels of the waterfall weren’t as easy to see and the falls weren’t quite as impressive as they could be.
For a more dramatic waterfall, I’d be tempted to visit after a good spell of rain when the River Teifi is flowing higher. Autumn would also be a lovely time to visit, with the surrounding woodland taking on its autumn colours. It’s also when the famous salmon run takes place, so you may be lucky enough to see salmon attempting to leap up the falls.
That said, Cenarth is a pretty spot at any time of year, and because it’s so easy to access, there’s little reason not to stop by if you’re in the area.
Responsible Waterfall Visiting and Safety
Please visit waterfalls responsibly.
Waterfalls can be beautiful places to explore, but they can also be unpredictable. Rocks, paths and viewing areas can become extremely slippery, especially after wet weather. Water levels and river conditions can change quickly, so always use common sense and take extra care around fast flowing water, steep drops and uneven ground.
Please follow the Countryside Code, leave no trace of your visit and take all litter home with you. Respect local communities, livestock, wildlife and any access restrictions that may be in place.
Before visiting, check local conditions and remember that you are responsible for your own safety.
I’ve put together a collection of practical resources to help you plan and enjoy your waterfall trips. From what to pack and how to find new waterfalls to wild swimming safety, you can browse all of my waterfall resources here.
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I do my best to keep every waterfall guide up to date, but things can change. Car parks close, paths get diverted, access arrangements change and facilities sometimes disappear.
If you’ve recently visited this waterfall and spotted any changes, please let me know. Whether it’s updated parking information, a damaged footpath, new access restrictions or anything else that could help future visitors, I’d love to hear from you.
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