The hidden paradise waterfalls made famous on Instagram where two people died
The hidden paradise waterfalls made famous on Instagram where two people died
The attraction is a magnet for tourists and locals alike, with waters that are always crystal clear and a series of tumbling water, but this week it was the site of tragedy, underlining the difficulties around the high number of visitors to the area
TikTokers increasingly refer to the cascades as the 'fairy pools'
(Image: Ian Lilley )
In the summer, the mountain waters of Yr Wyddfa often appear enticing, even to those not undertaking a tough climb. The aqua blue waters and cascading waterfalls create an illusion of being somewhere far more exotic.
Located just a brief walk from the A498, the Watkin Pools are a dream for Instagrammers seeking wild swimming photos without much effort. Until this week, their popularity was assumed and their use unchallenged. However, on Wednesday evening, tragedy struck when two women lost their lives in the pools.
One woman was retrieved from the water, while the other was later rescued by emergency teams but sadly passed away despite resuscitation attempts.
A police investigation is currently underway into the incident that has left Britain in shock and sorrow. You can read our report on the tragic event here.
Mountain activities inherently carry some risk: on average, eight people lose their lives each year on Yr Wyddfa due to falls, trips and health conditions. However, fatalities involving the mountain's lakes, streams and pools are rare, reports North Wales Live.
While the cause of this week's tragedy remains unconfirmed, it's important to remember that wild swimming – or even a quick dip – carries risks, particularly in icy mountain waters where rocks can be slippery and sharp. In light of this, the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK has issued a special warning to Welsh residents and visitors to remain vigilant around water this summer.
Article continues below
New statistics have revealed that in 2024, the drowning rate in Wales was twice the UK national average. The year saw 18 accidental drownings, with an additional 19 water-related deaths still awaiting official cause determination.
Interim charity director at RLSS UK, Matt Croxall, said: "The high drowning rate reported in Wales emphasises just how important it is that families are aware of the importance of water safety and have the correct knowledge to be safe around water."
The river's iconic slab bridge balances delicately on boulders having endured the worst of Eryri's winter storms
(Image: Ian Lilley )
Following the Covid pandemic, the Watkin Pools near Yr Wyddfa experienced a surge in popularity. A comparison of parking figures from 2021 indicated a significant 64% increase at Pont Bethania car park in Nant Gwynant, relative to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
While some visitors were hikers tackling the challenging Watkin Path to the summit, Eryri National Park officials attribute much of the rise to "trending social media posts" showcasing the picturesque Watkin Pools.
At that time, a travel website hailed it as "one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Snowdonia and maybe therefore in the whole of the UK." Since then, the praise for this location has only intensified.
Guides tout the pools as a "perfect cool-down" for hikers ascending the mountain. Yet in practice many take the plunge more for the sake of soaking up the ambiance and capturing crucial snapshots than for the hike itself, then promptly retracing their steps downhill.
It's considered amongst the top UK spots for inducing "Insta envy."
The Watkin cascades were recently dubbed the UK's second prime "hidden waterfalls". Despite their prevalence on social media hinting they aren't quite so concealed, their popularity is understandable.
Even on overcast days when they're not shimmering aqua blue, the waters retain their crystal clarity. At certain cascade points, visitors fancy themselves in "infinity pools", gazing from atop craggy ledges down to the splendid Nant Gwynant valley.
Suspended from an overhead branch by a tree-lined pool, a makeshift rope swing invites adventure. Amongst two trees sits a flat rock functioning as an impromptu slide.
Countless videos have been shared on TikTok, with the cascades increasingly referred to as "Snowdon's fairy pools".
A traveller commented: "5-star turquoise waters – the kind of place that makes you feel like its summer on the darkest day. Crystal clear, ice cold, delicious. Children adore it."
Lately, finding solitude at these pools has proven more of a challenge. Seasoned visitors suggest getting there early to dodge the throngs, as the falls become crowded post-noon.
Especially on sun-filled days, it's not unusual for guests to find themselves sharing their slice of "paradise" with fellow revellers.
Article continues below
However, you don't need to take a dip to appreciate the waterfalls and their iconic slab bridge. Picnics in this area have grown increasingly popular, leading to noticeable wear on the surrounding ground.
Over 600,000 people annually flock to Yr Wyddfa, though this week's double tragedy starkly demonstrates the risks such visits pose.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart in loved-up photos from lavish anniversary trip
Loose Women's Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart have been in Portofino for their wedding anniversary after having travelled to the destination on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster looked loved-up on their trip abroad together this week. They have embarked on a tour of locations that are special to them as the couple celebrate the 18th anniversary of their wedding. Rod, 80, and Penny, 54, got married in Portofino on the coast of Italy in 2007, with the anniversary of their nuptials having been on Monday. The pair tied the knot at former monastery La Cervara and have now returned to the area. Loose Women panelist Penny has shared updates from the trip on Instagram this week. It included posting footage yesterday from a boat trip as she spotted the cliffside property where she married Rod from the water beneath it. Penny focused on the wedding venue in the clip and referenced the recent anniversary that she celebrated with her husband in the caption that accompanied it. She told her followers in the post: "Where we said I do 18 years ago." She's since shared photos from the holiday, including one of herself and Rod cosied up together whilst holding ice cream cones. The couple were seen smiling as they stood together. She used a sticker on the post today that read: "I love you." Another photo showed them sat at a restaurant sporting clothing protectors as they eat a meal. Penny teased in the caption: "Making a mess of ourselves". The post, uploaded this afternoon, included Dean Martin 's song That's Amore. Earlier today, Penny had shared a selfie of herself from the trip and included a sticker that read: "Good morning." Later, prior to posting the photos of herself and Rod together, she shared showcased some drinks and appetizers. It comes after the couple had announced the trip away together earlier this week. Penny and Rod, in a joint post shared on Thursday, had revealed that they would travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to the destination. Penny shared at the time that they were boarding the luxury train in France. She said that they would travel from Paris, which is where they got engaged in 2005, to Portofino, which is where they had got married two years later. The post included a photo of Penny and Rod posing outside one of the carriages. She was seen wearing a floral outfit on the platform, whilst her husband opted to board the train in a pink jacket, white shirt and matching trousers instead. Alongside the photo, Penny said it was a "magical" experience. She wrote: "Entering a bygone era @vsoetrain from Paris where we got engaged to Portofino where we got married 18 years ago, it's totally magical @sirrodstewart."
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett get married for a second time as they say ‘I do' in stunning outdoor wedding
take two Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett get married for a second time as they say 'I do' in stunning outdoor wedding Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Only Way Is Essex lovebirds Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett have had a second wedding. The reality TV stars put on a lavish event on the Spanish island of Mallorca on Friday, which also marked Georgia's 34th birthday. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett have had a second wedding ceremony Credit: Instagram/@georgiakousoulou 3 The couple first met while filming Towie Credit: Instagram They first tied the knot in 2023 in an understated ceremony, but finally got to have their "dream wedding." "Our Dream wedding finally happened," they posted to Instagram alongside two photos from their outdoor ceremony. "Best day of our lives. Surrounded by so much love. Can not wait to get all of our pictures & videos back to show you how incredible it was & you'll be able to watch it all." Georgia looked stunning in an embellished white gown complete with a thigh-high split and which she paired with a strappy pair of silver stilletos. Tommy opted for a sand coloured suit and open white shirt for his big days. They married at an opulent Spanish villa and said 'I do' under a canopy of red flowers. The couple's two children, Brody, four, and Gigi, seven months were in attendance as were plenty of their Towie friends. Some of the other reality stars to be at their nuptials included, Chloe Ross, Sam Mucklow and Danielle Armstrong. Their friends gushed over the stunning ceremony in the comments section of Georgia's Instagram post. "No words!! Still speechless.. everything was perfect from start to finish. Wedding of the year! You looked breathtaking. Thank you for letting us be part of the day.. love you so bloody much 🤍 ROUND 2 BABY!!!!!" wrote hairdresser Amber Dowding. Inside Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou's luxury family holiday to Mallorca Danielle Armstrong added: "Literally the best wedding EVER!!! Love you guys congratulations 🥂 Round 2 later." Wedding planner, Johanna Lane commented: "My gorgeous friends & the best bride & groom ever 🙌 What a day." Georgia previously opened up to The Sun about the couple's first wedding. ecember 2023 was a much more low-key affair and ended with a humble Chinese takeaway. "We came back to mine and had a Chinese. It was unreal. It is so me and Tommy," she said. "I literally got back, got my PJs on straight away and we had a Chinese." She added: "The best bit about it was that we hired tables. So we had a top table…And we all just stuffed our faces with Chinese … it was actually brilliant. So good."
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots tourist spot named among most picturesque locations in the world
Read on to discover which other roads make the top five STUNNING SCENES Scots tourist spot named among most picturesque locations in the world SCOTLAND'S North Coast 500 has been named among the world's most picturesque road trips. The study, conducted by Cinch, analysed 40 iconic road trip routes across six continents to find out what journeys are most shared Instagram. 2 A road sign for the North Coast 500 in the Scottish Highlands Credit: Getty America's legendary Route 66 was crowned the most Instagrammed route on Earth, racking up a staggering 2.4 million hashtag mentions. Also making the top five were Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland, Great Ocean Road, Australia and Blue Ridge Parkway, USA. The NC500 is one of the most popular tourist trips in the country. The 516-mile stretch has been compared to America's famous Route 66 and gets thousands of visitors every year. Tourists flock to take in the breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands. Cinch motoring editor Sam Sheehan said: 'There's something unmatched about exploring the world from behind the wheel – stopping when you like, chasing views, discovering unexpected places. "These drives capture the imagination of millions because they offer freedom, beauty and a bit of adventure. 'Whether you hire a car to go from Chicago to California or take your pride and joy around the NC500, a little research can help you set up the road trip of a lifetime.' The NC500, dubbed Scotland's Route 66, is under the spotlight as locals express frustration over the influx of tourists along the rural route. While the scenic road trip brings economic benefits to the Highland region, residents are frequently irked by the trail of rubbish and damage to the roads caused by the surge in camper vans and mobile homes. Brand new coastal caravan park on picturesque NC500, near stunning, award-winning beach But tourists claim to respect the environment and the beauty of the route. It comes after locals blasted 'entitled' tourists who dumped their campervan outside a doctor's surgery - then cycled off for more than a week. It's claimed the visitors parked up in a spot that's reserved for medical staff who are on-call along the NC500 route. They then left their motorhome behind in Thurso, Caithness, to zip away on their bikes and catch a ferry.
