logo Walking Britain
Home About Holidays FAQ Email MENU ☰

Ystradfellte Waterfalls Walk

Brecon Beacons/Bannau Brycheiniog Walk

Nat Park - Brecon Beacons - Brecon Beacons West

County/Area - Powys

Author - Martyn Hanks

Length - 9.2 miles / 15 km    Ascent - 1600 feet / 485 metres

Time - 6 hours 10 minutes    Grade - moderate

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL13Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL13Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 161Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 161Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Ystradfellte Waterfalls Walk
Click image to see photo description.

This Brecon Beacons walks explores the valleys of the Afon Mellte and Nedd Fechan which are noted for their numerous waterfalls and cascades. The route requires careful navigation and the relevant 1:25000 OS map is a useful aid. The route starts from the Four Waterfalls car park (grid ref. SN928124) on a minor road lying to the south east of the village of Ystradfellte.

After parking, return to the lane and turn left. Turn right down the track leading to Cwm Porth Farm which is soon passed on the left. Continue ahead on the clear track following the signs for the "Four Waterfalls Walk". Continue to pass the buildings at Hendre-bolon. The way ahead enters woodland and you soon reach Sgwyd Clun-Gwyn, the first of many waterfalls encountered during the walk. The next cascade is Sgwyd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. From here careful navigation takes you off the "Four Waterfalls Walk" to Sgwyd yr Elra falls on the River Hepste, which is crossed. If in doubt return to the "Four Waterfalls Walk" and complete the loop back to the start.

The onward path takes a sinuous route out of the valley and continues south to Chilhepste-fach and Chilepste-cerig. In recent years there has been some forest clearing in this area with some disruption to the rights of way. However, the OS map helps with navigation as the route follows a southerly direction. The route then swings south-west and passes the Dinas Rock to join the road in Pontneddfecha Dinas Road n (grid ref. SN910079).

Bear left along Dinas Road into the village. After 800 metres, you reach a road junction (grid ref. SN902076). Keep straight ahead onto what is now Pontneathvaughan Road. Cross the River Neath into High Street. After a short distance turn, right down a tarmac drive between houses to join the riverside path. Follow this north, with the river to your right for about a mile until you reach a footbridge (grid ref. SN8980910). Do not cross the bridge and turn left following a tributary of the River Neath to reach the stepping stones below Syd Gwladus falls.

Cross the steeping stones and bear right downstream until you regain the River Neath at the footbridge. Again, do not cross the bridge but bear left and follow the path that parallels the River Neath upstream passing Scud Ddwli to reach a lane at Pont Melin-fach (grid ref. SN907105). Turn right along the lane, cross the River Neath and continue for about 500 metres to reach a driveway on your left (grid ref. SN912105). Follow the drive and bear right heading north-east to Hoped-for where you continue along their access road to a road (grid ref. SN917111). As an alternative, you can take the footpath from Hoel-fawr across fields to join the road further north.

Continue north along the road passing the entrance to Birnbach Farm on your right. A short way after the farm entrance there is a road junction. A few metres beyond the junction bear left onto the signed bridleway through a metal gate on your right (grid ref. SN919116). Follow this bridleway for about a kilometre to reach a lane (grid ref. SN927123). Turn right along the lane and the car park used at the start is a short way along on your left.

This walk is one of many routes prepared by Martyn Hanks for Youth Hostellers. The routes were drawn in a 'Wainwright' style and provided annotated maps offering additional information for walkers. Prepared before the days of GPS they were an invaluable resource and Walking Britain is happy to ensure that these walks remain in the public domain.

Ystradfellte Waterfalls Walk map

 

Other walks nearby

Walk 2643 Fan Frynych & Fan Llia, Fforest Fawrmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 3616 Fan Fawr from Storey Armsmoderate6.0 miles
Walk 2349 Pen Y Fan & Corn Du from near Storey Armsmoderate4.6 miles
Walk 2645 Fan Gyhirych & Fan Bwlch Chwyth, Fforest Fawrmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 2646 Fan Nedd & Fan Bwlch Chwyth, Fforest Fawrmoderate7.0 miles
Walk 2647 Fan Gyhirych, Fan Nedd & Fan Bwlch Chwythmoderate10.0 miles
Walk 2641 Fan Fawr & Fan Frynych, Fforest Fawrmoderate6.5 miles
Walk 1123 Brecon Beacons Horseshoe from Taf Fechan Forestmoderate8.5 miles
Walk 2934 The High Peaks of the Brecon Beaconsmod/hard10.7 miles
Walk 3563 Fan Brycheiniog and Picws Dumoderate7.1 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

The Cambrian Way

The Cambrian WayGuidebook to the Cambrian Way, a challenging three-week mountain trek through Wales from Cardiff to Conwy. The 470km un-waymarked route is presented from south to north. Often sticking to long, beautiful ridgelines, it crosses wild and rugged terrain and visits many of Wales's highest mountains, including Snowdon.
More information

Walking in Carmarthenshire

Walking in CarmarthenshireGuidebook to 30 walking routes (2 to 10 miles) in Carmarthenshire, south Wales, including sections of Carmarthenshire Coast Path. Walks for all abilities, including coastal, river, forest and hill walks in Cambrian Mountains, Tywi Valley, Y Mynydd Du (Black Mountains) and Brecon Beacons. Easy access from Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea.
More information

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Facebook  Twitter

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.