WALK: Four Waterfalls Walk, Ystradfellte, Powys
Falls of the Forrest
The sublime nature of waterfalls always attracts lovers of the wild. Discover four of the best on this Brecon Beacons walk, says Christopher Ridout
Ared kite’s eye view of the area south of Ystradfellte takes in a patch of woodland, much of it a coniferous plantation. To the western edge, deciduous trees take hold. Hovering here, a kite may detect a roar in the air, distinct from the wind atop the Beacons. It is the river’s roar as it meets a series of impressive waterfalls.
A waymarked trail from the Gwaun Hepste car park offers walkers the chance to see these ‘four waterfalls’ from ground level. The car park is payable by card only and is host to a small caravan serving snacks and hot drinks at weekends in the low season.
Walkers should be aware that the descents to the waterfalls from the main trail are quite challenging.
1 FIRST SIGHT
Leave the car park and walk south through a conifer wood, turning right where a sign points to the waterfalls. The falls are signposted from this main path. The first, Sgwd Clun-Gwyn (Fall of the White Meadow), is the easiest to see as the viewpoint is close to the path. It looks down on the falls’ impressive drop from above.
2 TWO IN ONE
Sgwd y Pannwr (Fall of the Woollen Washer) and Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn (Fall of the Lower White Meadow) are reached via the next footpath. This is the longest descent and you have to return to the main path the way you came. Erosion has created a step-like formation in the rocks at the top of Sgwd y Pannwr next to which two tall oak trees stand.
3 CURTAIN OF WATER
Sgwd Yr Eira (Fall of Snow) is reached via a shorter descent from the main path than the previous two falls. Behind this spectacular waterfall, a band of shale in the sandstone has worn away, leaving a path that can be walked – with care – when the water flow is low.
From Sgwd Yr Eira, return to the main path and follow the signs back to the car park.
Christopher Ridout is a writer with a keen interest in walking, history and mythology.