Stunning Brecon Beacons Walks: Four Waterfalls Route
Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane.
The Four Waterfalls Walk near the small village of Ystradfellte in the Brecon Beacons is one of the first dates Scott and I had as a couple. It was a chilly January weekend, but we had so much fun finding the waterfalls, photographing them and even walking behind one!
If that sounds like a great date for you and your other half, then let us tell you a bit about the walk, waterfalls and how you can make some gushing memories together.
Looking for more Brecon Beacons walks? Check out our guides on hiking Pen y Fan or walking around Pontsticill Reservoir.
Four Waterfalls Walk: What To Expect
Did you know that this part of Wales is nicknamed ‘Waterfall Country’? This is because at the head of the Valley of Neath in South Wales, there are a large number of waterfalls you can visit.
And boy are they beautiful!?
This particular Brecon Beacons walk takes in a whopping four waterfalls in a 5.5 mile trail, which takes around 3 – 4 hours.
Here’s a quick guide on what you’ll find…
Sgwˆd Clun-Gwyn aka ‘Fall of the White Meadow’
This roaring two-tier waterfall – and the first you’ll come across – has a cliff top viewing point nearby, offering delightful views of the waterfall from above.
It’s an immensely powerful waterfall meaning you’ll hear it before you see it!
Sgwˆd Isaf Clun-Gwyn aka ‘Lower Fall of the White Meadow’
Up next is this two-for-one waterfall. Its higher falls are roaring and rushing, while its lower falls are a trio of cascading water, dancing here, there and everywhere.
My opinion? This is possibly the prettiest waterfall in the set.
Sgwˆd y Pannwr aka ‘Fall of the Fuller’ or ‘Fall of the Woollen Washer’
This waterfall is the largest of the four.
It’s wide-reaching and flows across multiple cliff edges, giving it a look similar to Canada’s Niagara Falls – although not quite as grand.
Sgwˆd yr Eira aka ‘Falls of Snow’
The most picturesque name for what is easily our favourite of the four waterfalls.
After walking down 170 steep steps, you’ll face the waterfall from across a river. It’s loud, it’s roaring and it has a lot of spray!
Yet its best selling point – by far – is that you can walk behind it for free. You’ll need to clamber across a lot of slippery rocks in order to do so – and you will get VERY wet behind the falls.
But this rare moment of being fully immersed in nature is so worth it.
Four Waterfalls Walk: FAQs
Here’s what we think you need to know about seeing these beautiful Brecon Beacons waterfalls…
Where are the four waterfalls?
These waterfalls are close to the village of Ystradfellte, which is in a south-westerly direction from the heart of the Brecon Beacons.
Although the two main car parks for the falls have the postcode of CF44 9JF on Google, your SatNav will tell you you’re arrived a good mile or two early.
The car parks are easy to spot though as they’re clearly indicated with signs at the entrances.
Where should I park my car?
There are three car parks near to the falls.
The largest one, which has picnic tables and toilets is at Cwm Porth, and the second largest (with no toilet facilities) is at Gwaun Hepste. Both of these car parks have charges.
The smallest car park nearby – and therefore not great during peak times – is at Comin y Rhos. Although it doesn’t have any facilities, it‘s free to park here.
What are the walking routes like?
There are three waymarked paths to follow – the red route, the green route and the yellow route.
The red route is the main trail to take you from the car park at Gwaun Hepste and from each waterfall to the next. These paths are wide, hardy and have gentle slopes.
The green route is the route you’ll follow in order to get a closer look at each waterfall. In comparison, they are narrow, unsurfaced and slippery in places – and particularly rocky the closer you get to the waterfalls.
There is also a yellow route, which you’ll follow if parking your car at Cwm Porth. This route shows as white dots on this official trail map. This route leads to the red and green routes and is enjoyable to walk along with the right footwear.
You should also know that the first waterfall is about 40 minutes away from the two main car parks, which gives you an idea of timing and distance in relation to the map.
The walks here are challenging, but are well worth it – just remember to wear proper walking boots and definitely something waterproof.
During our visit, Scott wore what he thought was a waterproof jacket – only to find he was soaked through after walking behind Sgwˆd yr Eira. Amusing for me, not so much for him!
How long does it take to walk the entire Four Waterfalls route?
It takes roughly 3 – 4 hours and is 5.5 miles in total.
Sound like fun? What else do you want to know about the Four Waterfalls Walk in the Brecon Beacons? Let us know in the comments below…
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