Walking Trails in Waterfall Country
Before you visit
Please be aware the roads in this area can be very narrow, becoming single lane with little visibility and few passing places. Be prepared to give way and reverse for long distances on narrow lanes.
- There are limited toilet facilities at the car parks and no toilets at the falls.
- To reach any of the falls requires a long walk on uneven terrain. None of the falls are accessible for buggies, pushchairs or wheelchairs.
- Please take all litter home with you. There are no litter bins at the falls.
Several waymarked trails lead through this beautiful region of the Brecon Beacons National Park, to the most dramatic waterfalls.
These trails are linear. The distances shown below are the total mileage, there and back.
Four Falls Trail
Distance - 5.5 miles
Grade - Energetic
Starting point - Gwaun Hepste or Cwm Porth car park
OS grid reference - SN935123 or SN928124
This trail leads to Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr and Sgwd-yr-Eira on the River Mellte in the heart of Waterfall Country.
As you approach Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, listen out for the thundering roar of the falls before you reach them.
The Elidir trail (Sgwd Gwladus Waterfall)
Distance - 1.3 miles to Sgwd Gwladus, 1.2 miles to Pont Melin-Fach
Grade - Very moderate, then moderate
Starting point - Pontneddfechan Village (or Pont Melin-Fach car park, to walk the trail in reverse)
OS grid reference - SN900075 or SN907104
The entrance to a fairy kingdom is reputed to be somewhere along the Elidir Trail, which takes you upstream along the path on the right hand side of the River Pyrddin to Sgwd Gwladus, the Lady Falls.
To continue, double back to the bridge and bear left along the banks of the Nedd Fechan to reach Sgwd-y-Bedol (the Horseshoe Falls), shaped in several levels of semi-circular ledges. A little further upstream the water cascades over Sgwd Ddwli Isaf and Sgwd Ddwli Uchaf (the Lower and Upper Gushing Falls) which after heavy rain, truly live up to their name. From here you can continue on to the picnic area at Pont Melin-Fach or retrace your steps back to Pontneddfechan.
Gunpowder trail
Distance - 1.5 miles
Grade - Very moderate
Starting point - Dinas Rock car park – turn right over the bridge and right again to reach a welcome panel for the trail
OS grid reference - SN912079
In the gorge at the far end of Pontneddfechan village are the remains of the Glyn-Neath Gunpowder Works. The Powder Trail audio will take you on a fascinating journey through this historical site, discovering what life was like for the men and women who worked in the dangerous trade of gunpowder manufacture. The walk takes you through a wooded setting with the River Mellte rushing below.
As you go, look out for the purple waymarkers and numbered posts which indicate which audio track to play. Cross the bridge to return or take the spur up to the viaduct before heading back.
Sychryd trail
Distance - 0.5 miles
Grade - Very moderate, easier access
Starting point - Dinas Rock car park
OS grid reference - SN912079
A stone-dust path winds its way through the narrow wooded gorge carved by the River Sychryd to the Sgydau Sychryd cascades. On the other side of the river is the spectacular rock known as Bwa Maen, an impressive geological fold which earns its name of the bow or arch rock. This trail is suitable for more robust wheelchairs and buggies.
Sgwd-yr-Eira trail
Distance - 2 miles
Grade - Energetic
Starting point - Dinas Rock car park
OS grid reference - SN912079
This trail leads to Sgwd-yr-Eira, the Snow Waterfalls. The audio trail describes how this land has been used by different people, from early farmers to rock miners and climbers.
As you go, look out for the yellow waymarkers and numbered posts which indicate which audio track to play.