waterfall

For fans of the director, one iconic location lies much closer to home and it is guaranteed to take your breath away

When you think of Christopher Nolan’s films, your mind might wander to the Parisian boulevards from Inception, New York’s skyscrapers doubling as Gotham in Batman, or even the expansive New Mexico desert featured in Oppenheimer.

However, for devotees of the groundbreaking British director, one iconic location is much closer to home and it’s sure to leave you breathless.

Nestled deep within a wooded gorge on the fringes of the Brecon Beacons, there lies a waterfall so spectacular that it was chosen as a filming location for a major Hollywood blockbuster.

Yet, many Welsh locals may not even be aware of its existence.

Henrhyd Falls, the tallest waterfall in South Wales, was selected by Christopher Nolan as the entrance to the Batcave in his entire The Dark Knight trilogy. Scenes featuring the Black Tumbler – the massive tank-like Batmobile – soaring through the Welsh waters into the superhero’s clandestine lair were filmed here, reports the Express.

But fear not, you don’t need to be the Caped Crusader to visit this waterfall. There’s no need for any of Bruce Wayne’s gadgets, perhaps just a sturdy pair of boots will do.

Your journey begins with a walk along a path through verdant woodland near the village of Coelbren. Here, you can already hear the sound of rushing water in the distance.

A steep yet well-maintained footpath then guides you down into the gorge, winding towards the waters.

After a 20-minute stroll, you’re greeted by the breathtaking sight of a 27-metre waterfall cascading into a moss-lined gorge.

This might trigger memories of Batman’s secret lair from The Dark Knight Rises, as this very waterfall was featured prominently when John Blake, aka Robin, stumbles upon the hidden entrance to the Batcave.

What transforms Henrhyd from just a picturesque scene to a location with Hollywood status is its inherent drama. The waterfall tumbles over a hard sandstone ledge, known locally as the “Farewell Rock”, into a narrow gorge enveloped by dense forest.

It’s slightly off the beaten path, giving it that elusive “hidden lair” feel.

One recent visitor was utterly captivated by the experience, leaving a glowing review: “Henrhyd Falls is absolutely stunning – a hidden gem surrounded by beautiful nature. The walk down to the waterfall is scenic and peaceful, and standing behind the falls is an unforgettable experience. The sound of the rushing water and the lush greenery make it feel magical.”

The optimal time to visit is after a light rain shower, when the waterfall is at its most dramatic, although the paths can be slippery, particularly if you venture behind the curtain of water.

Early mornings are usually quieter, and sturdy footwear is essential – along with a waterproof if you plan to get close enough to feel the spray.

Henrhyd Falls is a must-visit for nature lovers and Batman enthusiasts alike. Even if the Batmobile isn’t spotted in the shadows, visitors will undoubtedly leave with the sense of having uncovered one of Wales’s most captivating hidden gems.

You don’t need to jet off abroad to find locations that look like they’ve been ripped from the pages of fairytale books – there are plenty of them here in the UK

There’s something about autumn in the UK that makes a walk particularly magical. Strolling through a forest that’s glowing orange and red, with crinkly leaves under your feet, feels like it is something plucked straight from a fairytale.

But when those colours are met with stunning flowing water, it creates a scene that you could spend hours watching and should not be missed. Luckily for adventurers in the UK, hidden among some misty hills and quiet paths is one hidden gem that feels like it isn’t real, and where time seems to slow.

That magical spot is Craigie Linn waterfall, tucked just outside Paisley near Glasgow. The trail and waterfall are set within Glen Park, part of the larger Gleniffer Braes Country Park.

Although it may not be the largest waterfall in the world, the waterfall’s surroundings make it striking. The natural feature was formed by and fed by the Glen Burn, and drops around eight metres, roughly 26 feet.

It may not rival the great waterfalls of the Highlands in size. Still, in terms of atmosphere, especially in autumn, it comes alive.

The waterfall itself is hidden at the end of a small trail, which will weave you through birch, beech, and oak trees.

Shining a light on the hidden gem, Experience Scotland’s Wild on TikTok revealed the waterfall to thousands of viewers. The video begins: “Hidden near Paisley, there’s a magical little spot called Craigie Linn.

“It’s just a short stroll through the woods, and you’ll find this waterfall. It’s especially beautiful in autumn when the colours make it feel like a fairytale escape. It’s definitely worth checking out.”

Because of the video, many are eager to check it out. One person commented: “Looks fabulous in colour. I love how it changes with the seasons.” While another added: “Stunning. Added to the list!”

Visitors should also keep a lookout for ghostly figures and eerie sightings. Gleniffer Braes once served as a hideout for Scottish rebels, and rumour has it the spirits can still be seen on misty evenings.

Reaching the waterfall is surprisingly easy. Most visitors start from the “Car Park in the Sky”, officially the Robertson Car Park in Gleniffer Braes, and follow the signposted woodland paths down toward the burn.

The walk is short and scenic, with a few steeper sections as you descend through the trees.

If you’re coming by public transport, Paisley is easily reached by train from Glasgow, and from there, local buses or taxis can take you closer to Glenburn or Glen Park. The area is free to visit, though parking can fill up quickly on sunny weekends, so early arrivals are wise.

The paths can be muddy or slippery after rain, so sturdy, waterproof footwear is a must — and after rainfall, the waterfall is at its most dramatic, with water tumbling over the rocks in a frothing white rush.

About ten times each day, giant freight trains pass along a narrow section of track along the Sacramento River in far northern California where engineers on the locomotives regularly tense up with stress.

“Every single time, it’s a near miss” of a train hitting a person, said Ryan Snow, the California State Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “Multiple near misses, every single run. My nightmare is that a family that isn’t paying attention gets hit.”

This particular stretch of track, which wends north from the town of Dunsmuir, is a renegade route for hikers to one of northern California’s most enchanting natural sights, Mossbrae Falls. Fed from glaciers on Mount Shasta, the water pours out of lava tubes and down mossy cliffs, forming a verdant and ethereal cascade into a calm, shaded swimming hole.

It appears magical. It is also inaccessible —unless visitors trespass more than a mile on on the tracks or wade across the river. Accidents have happened. Two people have been struck by trains in the last few years (although both survived.) In May a Southern California woman drowned after trying to reach the falls via the river. But the tourists keep coming. Drawn by Instagram and Tiktok, increasing numbers of people have taken to visiting the falls — nearly 30,000 according to a city study, the majority of them by trespassing up the train tracks.

For years, outdoor enthusiasts in and around Dunsmuir have pushed Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the tracks, to work with the city to create a safe, accessible, legal path. But the effort has been dogged by delays.

This week, the train workers union decided to enter the fray, issuing a press release decrying the slow progress and calling on Union Pacific to do more to make the long-held dream of a trail a reality.

“Each month that goes by without a real construction timeline, lives are put at risk,” Snow said in a statement. The statement also accused Union Pacific of “slow-walking” the project, saying railroad officials have called for meeting after meeting, but has never produced a right-of-way commitment or a clear construction timeline.

Many engineers, Snow said, are frustrated and feel the delay “unfairly endangers both railroad personnel and the public.”

In a statement, Union Pacific said that the railroad had “approved the concept of a trail into Mossbrae Falls years ago, and we have been working with the City of Dunsmuir and the Mount Shasta Trail Association to find solutions that address everyone’s safety concerns.”

Earlier this summer, Dunsmuir city officials held a “summit” with Union Pacific officials to tour the falls and talk about the proposed trail connection.

City officials said the summit, which included representatives from local elected officials offices as well as railroad officials from Omaha and Denver, marked “a new milestone in the slow but steady process.” A city press release noted that “key Union Pacific officials had the opportunity to see the falls for the first time, recognizing the importance of building public access to this beautiful natural resource.”

But some longtime trail advocates said they were not convinced that the dream is any closer. John Harch, a retired surgeon with the Mount Shasta Trail Assn. and has been working with others for years on public access, said he still didn’t see evidence of concrete progress.

“Here we sit, as before, while people risk their lives to see the falls,” he wrote in an email.

Snow said he hopes the public can put pressure on the parties to make concrete progress.

“We’ve been lucky that we haven’t had any fatalities caused by a trespasser strike,” he said. “The worst thing an engineer can do is hit somebody. It’s stressful.”

Meanwhile, he said, the route is only becoming more popular. “It’s in hiking magazines, and on the internet everywhere. It’s attracting more and more people.”

He added: “I can’t blame them. It’s beautiful.”

The campsite is nestled among the Rhinog mountains and is just two miles from the best beach in Wales

A picturesque Gwynedd campsite, boasting an “out of this world” location, has been crowned as one of Britain’s finest. Situated beside a river and near a waterfall, the woodland retreat in Eryri National Park is described by visitors as possessing a “fairytale ” charm.

Nantcol Waterfalls has earned its place on a list of 150 exceptional sites curated by Campsites.co.uk, which boasts over 3,200 locations. A total of 19 other North Wales campsites also made the cut, showcasing the region’s top-notch staycation offerings.

Set amidst the breathtaking Rhinog mountains, Nantcol Waterfalls campsite is merely two miles from Shell Island, with its golden beaches near Llanbedr recently hailed as the best in Wales by the annual Times and Sunday Times Best UK Beaches guide.

The site is traversed by Afon Nantcol – perfect for paddling, swimming or fishing. Thewaterfall is just 100 metres away.

Beyond tent pitches, the campsite offers glamping pods complete with TV, underfloor heating, WiFi, and firepits available for hire, reports North Wales Live.

Last year, the campsite clinched the title of the UK’s number one, and guests wholeheartedly concur, awarding it a 4.89-star rating.

One visitor remarked: “Only noise you can hear are the birds, river and odd sheep. It really is a peace of paradise, we didn’t want to come home.”

Another enthused: “We’ve officially found our happy place. The site is so well maintained, sustainable, and focused on preserving the beauty of nature.”

Nantcol Waterfalls offers optional electric grass pitches for tents and tourers, in addition to waterside bell tents and luxury glamping pods.

New additions this year include a wood-fired sauna and motorhome hire.

The Lake District National Park is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and charming villages, drawing visitors from across the globe — but this spot is a hidden gem

Renowned globally for its awe-inspiring landscapes and quaint hamlets, the Lake District National Park lures international visitors aplenty. Though hotspots like Ambleside and Windermere typically steal the limelight, contemporary trends have wanderers hunting down more isolated retreats.

Scour through social media and you’ll find a plethora of posts praising ‘hidden gems’, as the thrill of unearthing an unsullied sanctuary is undeniably alluring.

A savvy travel expert has decided to throw the spotlight on a real hidden treasure that lies tucked away amidst frequented spots yet provides a hushed, more genuine slice of this iconic British vista.

It serves as a serene haven for explorers, situated just slightly apart from the worn pathways, offering a delightful ‘tranquil’ getaway.

Merely a stone’s throw at seven minutes by car from bustling Ambleside and a brief seventeen minutes from Grasmere stands this humble paradise.

This low-key gem, Skelwith Bridge, has generated buzz on TikTok for its “stunning views”, with even images and footage online underscoring its charm, reports the Express.

Local sage Jerry Rebbeck from Wheelwrights Holiday Cottages offered insights: “The village of Skelwith Bridge is smaller and quieter than neighbouring villages, home to only 150 people.”

This little enclave offers an idyllic spot “a tranquil place to stay as a base for exploring the national park; with access to the fells, river walks and lakes beyond, or great to visit when staying elsewhere.”

The village’s allure is not limited to its quaint architecture but also encompasses the picturesque environment.

The travel expert revealed, “it gets its name — unsurprisingly — from a stone bridge which makes its way across the River Brathway, which is lovely for walks of all kinds, filled with the best of British wildlife such as otters, kingfishers, grey herons and various species of fish.”

Just a four-minute stroll along the riverbanks takes you to Skelwith Force, a charming sixteen-foot waterfall. Jerry points out that while it’s “lesser known than the other more dramatic waterfalls in the area… it’s a small but charming natural beauty, and adds to Skelwith Bridge’s status as a UK hidden gem.”

Venture further upstream and you’ll find Elter Water Lake, boasting an “easy, scenic walk with well-maintained paths” around its tranquil shores.

For those with a passion for history, Cathedral Cave offers a glimpse into the region’s industrial heritage. This complex of interlinked caverns forms part of a hikeable 4.7 km loop close to Coniston, Cumbria.

Jerry summed up: “It’s off the beaten track and yet close to an abundance of landmarks and beautiful scenery, giving you the best of both worlds for resting and exploring the Lakes.”

Howdy! I’m Jaclyn Cosgrove, an outdoors reporter at the L.A. Times. My job is to explore the mountains surrounding Los Angeles to find the best hikes, campgrounds and other adventures for you to tackle. I also write Between a Rock, where we feature outdoors survival stories every month, and The Wild, our (free!) weekly outdoors newsletter where I feature the absolute best things to do around L.A. and Southern California. In short, I’m outside a lot!

Would you like to join me sometime? How about later this month? The Times will host its fourth subscriber hike at 9 a.m. May 24 on a 3.5-mile hike to Sycamore Canyon Falls.

Tucked away in Point Mugu State Park, Sycamore Canyon Falls is a multi-tier 55-foot waterfall near Newbury Park. And hopefully with recent rainfall, it’ll still be flowing for us to enjoy.

There are multiple ways to reach the falls, but we will take the shortest and more direct way, starting in Rancho Sierra Vista/ Satwiwa in the Santa Monica Mountains. We’ll start at the Wendy Trail and wind our way through the park before entering Point Mugu State Park. Because we’re hiking through a state park, dogs aren’t allowed on this hike. (Trust me, I’m bummed too!)

I’ll lead a group of 30 subscribers to the falls, where we’ll hang out, snap images and maybe even share a snack or two. This hike is moderate and requires good footwear. I will probably bring along my poles for traction and welcome you to do the same.

Parking is free and easy. Please park at the Wendy Trail Head. We’ll meet at the start of the trail there.

We will have water bottles for attendees, but you’re also welcome to bring your own. You must be 18 or older and will be required to sign a waiver prior to attending. Grab a spot at Tixr.com.