Welsh Waterfall Country in the Neath
Valley Area
Many of the campers who
visit Glyn Y Mul Farm come specifically to visit the many waterfalls in the
immediate area. I had not realised until very recently how centrally convenient
the farm campsite was for visiting these places. One of our regular visitors,
Morgan Morgan, born and brought up in Glynneath, recently gave me a detailed
account of the local waterfalls. His infectious enthusiasm for the subject made
me ask him to write down some details so that I could pass them on to other
interested parties.
The result of my request was
the narrative which I have published below, as it came to me via e-mail in
August 2007. As time goes on, the only additions I intend to make to Morgan’s
own words will be the addition of grid references as and when I get that
information. I will also add post codes where known for places close to the
falls so that users of SatNav might find it easier to get from one location to
another with minimum effort and maximum efficiency of time.
If any readers of this web
page have any further information they think might be useful then please feel
free to e-mail me on the farm address – glynymulfarm@btconnect.com
Take Care!
This area has some lovely
places to visit but most of its loveliness is down to the effects of
water! As a result, even in times of
little rainfall, the ground and paths are often wet and very slippery. In addition, walking in the most beautiful
spots is very much a three dimensional exercise and this amplifies the dangers
created by factors such as slipperiness, unsound terrain, and changeability in
the weather. Visiting the area with care
and consideration should enable survival to tell others of its splendour and
spectacle.
Where to visit and how to
get there.
If you have your own
transport, you can probably find somewhere to park near to the part you want to
visit at one of the places marked P on the map.
All of the waterfalls in the region are relatively easily reached along
quite well marked footpaths. If you rely
on public transport, a bus to Pontneddfechan (PontNeathVaughn) puts you within
good walking range of most of the upper Neath waterfalls. There is a tourist office, open at most
reasonable times, opposite the
From PontNeathVaughn, you can walk behind the Angel
to pick up the footpath, an old tramway, which follows the west side of the
river north for about 2km, to reach Scwd Gwladys. Crossing the footbridge at the confluence of
the Pyrddin and Nedd Fach allows the Pyrddin to be followed with difficulty so
you can stand at the top of Scwd Gwladys. Following the Pyrddin farther
upstream about 0.5km demands wading back and forth across the river a number of
times (and low water!) in order to reach Scwd Einion Gam. This, for many (including me!), has the most
evocative waterfall amphitheatre in the area.
Instead of following the Pyrddin upstream, you can
follow the west side of the Nedd Fach by footpath from the footbridge across
the Pyrddin. Following this path takes
you past a number of waterfalls and cascades including the Ddwli waterfalls.
An alternative to starting
from PontNeath-Vaughn to visit the falls mentioned so far, is to park in the
parking area alongside a picnic area below a bridge over the Nedd Fach. This can be reached by turning west off the
road between PNV and Ystradfellte and following the narrow and tortuous road
down to the bridge over the river.
The waterfalls on the Mellte and Hepste tributaries
can be accessed from a few different areas suitable for vehicle parking. Probably the best access provides the poorest
parking but this is not really a problem.
This small parking area is along the roadside about halfway between
Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte. There
is a gated track/footpath leading east and then north and down into the Mellte
valley. This crosses the Mellte at a
footbridge just a little north of Scwd Clungwyn Uchaf. Following the west bank of the Mellte
downstream leads to Scwd Clungwun Isaf, a delightful series of falls in a
wonderful setting.
The footbridge crosses the Mellte and the path north
follows the valley to lead to a point where the Mellte can be seen emerging
from a cave. You can follow the path
farther north along an ancient river bed to cross a road into a car park. This perches above the short gorge where the
Mellte disappears into a wide cave called Porth-yr-Ogof. The parking area here provides an alternative
access point to the footpaths in the area.
The approach roads are narrow and steep in places but the car park is
often manned for a fee, providing security against thieves and vandals!
The alternative after crossing the footbridge over
the Mellte is to climb the footpath leading generally south along the east side
above the Mellte valley. Tortuous paths
from this path can take you down riskily to the east sides of the two Clungwyn
falls and also to Scwd y Pannwr farther downstream, a little way above the
confluence of the Hepste with the Mellte.
Continuing farther along the
path above the Mellte valley leads you back down with
difficulty into the Hepste
valley and behind probably the most renowned waterfall in the area,
Scwd-yr-Eira (Spout of the Snow).
Clambering down the valley side before reaching
Scwd-yr-Eira reveals the wild lower reaches of the Hepste before it joins the
Mellte. Here the water tumbles through a
series of rapids, cascades and falls including the Cilhepste falls.
The path which passes behind
Scwd-yr-Eira makes access to the Hepste and Mellte waterfalls possible from a
small parking area and bus terminus just north of Penderyn. An easy (although usually boggy) walk of
about 1.5km along moorland paths and tracks takes you to a point above
Scwd-yr-Eira before the path descends rapidly into the valley to pass behind
the fall.
Another suitable walking
access point to the south Mellte and Hepste valleys is Dinas Rock at the point
where the road from PontNeathVaughn becomes single track after crossing the
River Mellte. Here you will find a
parking area fronting the large outcrop that is Dinas Rock. Recently, this area has been gated off and
only opened during the day for vehicle access to the parking area. A path along the east side of the Mellte runs
north to allow easy climbing to the top of Dinas Rock or easy walking alongside
and over the Mellte past the ruins from earlier gunpowder manufacture. There is a path the other side of Dinas Rock
which follows the little cascading River Sychryd past remnants of silica
extractions.
There are other notable and renowned
waterfalls in the area worthy of visiting.
These include
I wish you enjoyable and
safe perambulation!
M.Morgan, Aug., 2007.