LONGER WALK 3: WATERFALL COUNTRY: PONTNEDDFECHAN OR GLYN-NEATH (PONTWALBY) VIA MELLTE AND NEDD FECHAN RIVERS
 | Walk in the spectacular waterfalls country of the Brecon Beacons
National Park! From Dinas Rock the route follows the river upstream
before crossing over to the Nedd Fechan valley and back to
Pontneddfechan. Photo: D. Speakman, TFL. |
With the paths near the falls being steep and rocky, occasionally the National Park have had to close them after very wet weather. Though thickly wooded today, historically the area was the site of gunpowder works and a silica mine producing very high temperature fire bricks. A visit to the National Park's Waterfalls Centre in Pontneddfechan offers the chance to find out how the local rocks shaped the economy and way of life of the area.
Map: OS Explorer OL12 or Landranger 160
Distance: 8 miles (13 km) from Dinas Rock to Waterfalls Centre; 10½ miles (17 km) to and from Pontwalby Bridge.
Terrain: Footpaths, some less well defined; some very steep and slippery sections. Total ascent: 360m, with short but steep climbs.
Start: Pontwalby Bridge, Grid Reference 890067 ; or Pontneddfechan Dinas Rock Grid Reference: 910079
Bus there:
Mondays to Saturdays: First Cymru X5 from Swansea and Neath to Pontwalby Bridge (destination shown as Glyn Neath); frequency: every half hour daytime. Limited service by Dansa (161) Neath to Pontneddfechan on Mondays to Fridays only.
Sundays: First Cymru X5 from Neath (connection from Swansea by 158) to Pontneddfechan; frequency: every hour from 1030 (Swansea), 11.05 (Neath).
Walk: From Pontwalby Bridge, take the footpath to the east of the river Neath for 1¼ miles (2 kms) to Dinas Rock. If coming from the Pontneddfechan terminus, follow the road down to the Dinas Rock car park. By the entrance, take the path signed for the Gunpowder Walk. Shortly after take the right hand fork to climb steadily uphill.
Where the path levels out at a clearing, there are views across towards the woods and waterfalls of Coed y Ffyrnau.
The path forks (916081); take the more grassy path on the left. At the signpost (919082) take the path right to gain more height. Eventually the path reaches a conifer plantation, and passes the ruin of Cilhepste-cerig. After going through cleared forest the route is waymarked and emerges at a signposted junction; turn left towards Sgwd yr Eira and down to the falls via steep steps.
The rivers Mellte and Hepste have a series of impressive waterfalls. Sgwd yr Eira or Waterfall of Snow on the Hepste is considered perhaps the finest, and notable by the path which can be followed behind the glistening curtain of water.
The path goes behind and under the waterfall before climbing steeply the other side. At the next junction turn left towards Sgŵd Clun-gwyn. At the next junction turn left, as signed by the green sign Sgŵd Clun-gwyn falls.
This path returns down to river level and then backs to follow the river upstream, climbing to the right of the falls by a very steep rocky slope. Passing above the falls, Sgŵd Isaf Clun-gwyn, it follows a narrow ledge before ascending up to the next set of waterfalls - Sgŵd Clun-gwyn.
Sgŵd Clun-gwyn is another magnificent waterfall which drops into a deep pool surrounded by trees and mosses, which are notable for magnificent Spring and Autumn colour that contrasts with the white water of the falls.
Take the waymarked path up the slope and at the junction left (signed toward Cwm Porth) and after rejoining the river cross the bridge. At the next fork take the right path which follows the river before curving right to a clearing; go straight ahead and after the gate turn right towards Clungwyn Bunkhouse Barn. Pass the farm to take the stile on the left then head in a direction roughly north west, take the next stile to cross a small boggy field and cross over another stile by a stream, then head up to the stile by the road; turn right here.
Opposite the chapel, turn left on to the path heading through two gates with stiles. Turn left to go onto a tarmac lane; follow this past the farm where the lane becomes an enclosed path (a DIY footpath sign indicates the way!) Ignoring paths left and right follow the green lane as it turns right and zig-zags down to Glyn-mercher-uchaf. Turn right on to road then take the next path right (912105), a signposted permissive path which crosses the field bearing slightly left and then exits by a small stile (908104) behind coppiced trees, to rejoin the road below.
Turn right to cross the bridge then left into a small car park at Pont Melin Fach. Take the path leading out of the car park leading towards the riverside. After passing some falls the path descends steadily down the valley passing Sgwd Ddwli; after about a mile take the second footbridge at the valley junction. At this point, a short detour to the right takes you to Scwd Gwladus.
These beautiful waterfalls are forever associated with the legendary Gwaldus, the Lady of the falls. She was reputed to have been one of the 24 daughters of Brychan of Brycheiniog, a 5th century noble Welsh prince, who fell in love with a young man called Einion. Sadly their love was thwarted and Gwladus dying of a broken heart, her spirit became immortalised through the waterfall. Einion, was also immortalised in the form of a waterfall further upstream.
Retrace your steps and continue downstream where the path emerges by the Angel Inn; turn left to go into the village.
To return to Pontwalby, follow the road up to Dinas Inn, then take the lower road at the fork. Just before a row of houses on the right, the path leads off on the right down to a footbridge, and then goes up to meet a track. Turn right onto the track and follow this past the farm and through the waymarked gate ahead. The route continues straight ahead along a wide path under a high road bridge then take the right fork. After joining a wider track at the next cross roads go straight ahead following the bridleway signs to the end, emerging in Pontwalby by a phone box on Merthyr Road. The bus stop for bus service 160 back to Neath and Swansea is opposite.
Finish: Pontneddfechan Post Office, Grid reference 901076 or Pontwalby Bridge, Grid Reference 890067
Facilities: Refreshments: Pontneddfechan: three pubs and a café at the community hall. Toilets near Waterfalls Centre, Pontneddfechan.
Mondays to Saturdays: First Cymru X5 from Pontwalby Bridge to Neath and Swansea; frequency every half hour daytime (last bus with Swansea connection at 18.35 changing at Neath).
Sundays: First Cymru X5 from Pontneddfechan Angel Inn; frequency every hour, last bus at 19.05
Bus times
Tickets:
From Swansea: First Day South & West Wales; prices as of spring 2011: £6.00 adult, £2.80 child
From Neath: First Day Neath Port Talbot; prices as of spring 2011: £4.00 adult, £2.80 child.