Walks And Walking in Wales – Welsh Waterfalls

Walks And Walking in Wales – Welsh Waterfalls

The Brecon Beacons in South Wales are famous for mountain walks across the vast ranges of the Brecon Beacons National Park. However, by visiting South Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park you are also rewarded with the spectacular Welsh waterfalls hidden amongst the ancient woodlands and forest walking routes.

Welsh Waterfalls in South Wales

Whilst the Brecon Beacons offer reliable walks and walking routes there are also claustrophobic caverns, woodland gorges and forest tracks that spring pleasant scenic surprises. Where the sandstone gives way to a band of outcropping carboniferous limestone you enter Waterfall Country.

The limestone weathers to form craggy, fractured landscapes made up of narrow gorges, pot holes, sink holes, caves and, most rewarding, waterfalls.

The landscape has definitely suffered for the pleasure of man and the main area to see these splendid features is Ystradfellte, an isolated area close to the abundant Mellte, Hepste, Nedd and Pyrddin Rivers. It is here that there are a succession of magnificent waterfalls which includes the most famous Welsh waterfall; Sgwd-yr-Eira also known as The Spout of Snow.

The overhang at Sgwd-yr-Eira is such that you can walk the low pathway around and behind the cascading waterfall without getting (too) wet.

For the caving enthusiasts there is the giant mouth of Porth-yr-Ogof up the Mellte River but for the walkers, hikers, trekkers and ramblers staying above ground is a happier pursuit to the underground mazes created by the erosive action of water on limestone.

Unlike the mountain ranges of the Brecon Beacons that are best tackled with the assistance of clear blue skies it is best to walk the Welsh waterfall walking routes when it has been raining, preferably the night beforehand.

Most of the walks and walking routes for the Welsh waterfalls can be found at the Clun Gwyn starting point by the Mellte, Hepste, Need and Pyrddin rivers that all plunge over a series of waterfalls although the distance becomes tiring due to the tricky, rocky climbs of this eight mile stretch.

Following the Afon Mellte you emerge at the Sgwd Uchaf Clun Gwyn, Sgwd being the Welsh for waterfall. Continuing along Gwaun Hepste to the Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn there are opportunities to splash through streams passing between the Mellte and Hepste valleys until reaching the Sgwd-yr-Eira. Then following Afon Nedd to Afon Pyrddin the result is the Sgwd Gwladys beauty spot.

The final Welsh waterfall of note is Henrhyd Falls. This delightful walking route takes you through Craig-y-nos Country Park and its 19th century castle to the summit of Cribarth returning along the beautiful gorge to Henrhyd Falls.

Henryhd Falls is the highest waterfall in South Wales and offers another chance to walk behind this fabulous Welsh waterfall without getting too wet, even offering enough space to sit down, relax, enjoy a picnic and marvel at this unbelievable area of outstanding natural beauty.

Walks And Walking in Swansea, South Wales

Walks And Walking in Swansea, South Wales

If you are looking for beautiful and breathtaking scenery that is very easily accessible to get to then I can’t recommend Swansea enough! Swansea is in South Wales and although it is, and has been, known mainly as an industrial area it is a brilliant location for walks and walking, at all levels.

I stayed there for a week with the family and certainly had some great experiences out in the Welsh Mountains, Coastal Walking along the Gower Peninsula, exploring Welsh Waterfalls, tasting Welsh Whisky and riding the well preserved Welsh Mountain Railway Line in a steam engine.

Sunset over Swansea Bay

Our first full day was spent walking from the Brecon Mountain Railway to the Taf Fechan Reservoir which is about 5 1/2 miles of quite easy walking. The railway journey itself was also an enjoyable experience. We finished our visit with a quick trip to the Penderyn Distillery to sample some Welsh Whisky!

Other walks included the Gower Peninsula to visit the Pennaid Pill Castle and a lovely coastal walk back to the Mumbles. A very hard going walk up to Table Mountain to see the views from Pen Cerrig-calch. Much easier walks through forestry to see plenty of Welsh Waterfalls, including the Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall and Henrhyd Falls, the highest in South Wales.

So, all in all, a very enjoyable trip to Swansea!

 

Walks and Walking – Walking The Welsh Waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons.

Walks and Walking: Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, 8 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

It was a little drizzly this morning and cloudy compared to our last few days of clear blue skies. However, a little rain would top up the rivers making it a good day to walk the welsh waterfalls!

Anticipating the mud we strapped ourselves up in gaiters, sturdy walking boots and hooded windproof jacket but as soon as our hats and snoods were on, they were off again as it brighten up typical British weather! Revving up the Vito Sport as we made our way up to Neath and the beginning of the walk at Clun Gwyn Farm and Bunkhouse, 3 miles up from Ystradfellte.

From the car park we followed the clear signpost to Sgwd Clun-gwyn Waterfall, had a quick look, and then carried on up the track to cross a footbridge where we climbed a steep rocky path up and then turned right following the footpath back down the other side of the Afon Melte River to look at the waterfall from the other side.

Looking back down the river from the footbridge at Sgwd Clun-gwyn Waterfall

Next we followed the red way markers to the Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall. Although the zig-zag steps down were a little damp it was absolutely fine and safe to walk down the steep descent to the waterfall. I decided to video the approach to the waterfall and as it was just as easy to walk behind it and up the other side I also made a short video inside the waterfall.

After an exhilarating visit, the walk up the muddy and rocky ascent was completely exhausting but when we reached the top we both had very big smiles on our faces at what was a great experience with beautiful scenery. Keeping to the obvious pathway we headed through the forest encountering gorse, pine, bogs, welsh ponies, stream crossings, views of the wind farm, the Cilhepste-fach and Cilhepste-cerig ruins and then continuing to head south along the path until we came to Craig Dhinas (Dinas Rock Great Forest Geopark).

Crossing the bridge we followed the road down to The Angel Inn at Pontneddfechan where we were going to get half a local ale to eat with our sandwiches outside but, alas, there is a sign saying “No Muddy Boots” so we turned right by the ornate gates that head northwards alongside the Nedd River.

A few minutes walk on the right is a short pathway down to the river where we finally got our sarnies and a drink down us, sitting on the rocks in a little sun trap observing all of the different rocks and crystal clear water.

The view from our lunch time spot

We then continued to walk upwards following the signs and river marvelling at waterfall after waterfall… after waterfall after waterfall… after waterfall after waterfall!! We took our time for lots of photos to really breathe in and absorb the beautiful and unique scenery.

We reached the picnic area and car park by Pont Melin-fach turning right up the road to reach a distinct stile by the buildings of Glyn-mercher-uchaf where we met some very friendly sheep!

Very friendly sheep at the end of our Welsh Waterfalls Walk

Following the clear sign posts we crossed farmland until we reached sight of the road where we had parked and joined the road by the white chapel building and grave yard just by the very old fashioned petrol station.

A few minutes later, and after walking for 5 hours, we were back at the Vito Sport, chucked our muddy boots in the back and shot straight back down to The Angel Inn for a welcome pint of Rhymney’s. What a wonderful pub, such a shame we just missed out on some Welsh Cawl!