\u201cI cannot call to mind a single valley that\u2026 comprises so much beautiful and picturesque scenery and so many interesting and special features.\u201d<\/p>\n

With these words, Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace was describing neither the Amazon nor the Far East that he explored on his intrepid travels, but somewhere much closer to home: the Vale of Neath on the southern slopes of the Brecon Beacons.<\/p>\n

Spilling water, mossy riverbeds and tree-shrouded\u00a0caverns \u2013 Waterfall Country, spanning northwards from the village of\u00a0Pontneddfecha, is a ramblers dream.<\/p>\n

There are a number of trail options in Waterfall Country. This route follows the Elidir Trail (Sgwd Gwladus Waterfall).<\/p>\n

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<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Waterfall Country walk<\/h2>\n
2.5\u00a0miles\/4km | 2\u00a0hours | moderate<\/em><\/p>\n
1. The sound of water<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Elidir Trail begins at a metal gate behind the Angel Inn in the village of Pontneddfechan. Words inscribed on the gate welcome you to Waterfall Country. The trail (signposted by purple way markers) retraces the footsteps of local lad Elidir who, legend has it, discovered a cave here that led to a secret fairy kingdom. You are also following the tracks of horse-drawn trams that once transported silica from mines along the gorge, evidence of which can still be seen. Look out for \u2018Farewell Rock\u2019, a slice of sandstone that towers above you on your left while the Nedd Fechan river rumbles below to the right.<\/p>\n
The route is accessible to wheelchair users as far as the first picnic area, but then becomes rougher and more undulating before arriving at a wooden footbridge. Cross over the bridge and follow the right-hand bank of the Afon Pyrddin (and the green arrow signs) to Sgwd Gwladus (Lady\u2019s Falls).<\/p>\n
2. An inviting pool<\/strong><\/p>\n
Suitably refreshed, head upstream around a wide plateau of rock, over another wooden footbridge and upwards. Sgwd Ddwli Isaf (Lower Gushing Falls) soon appears \u2013 a no-nonsense fall that plunges straight down over a sudden step in the river\u2019s rocky bed. A little further along, the trail saves its finest feature until last.<\/p>\n
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