Article from Brecon Beacons National Park
Last Updated: 08 May 2008 16:04
Waterfall Country
The Mellte River has cut down through the hard limestone to create spectacular wooded gorges here.
This is one of the most beautiful and popular parts of the National Park. Caves and waterfalls abound between the villages of Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte where the Rivers Mellte, Hepste and Nedd Fechan plunge their way down steep-sided, tree-lined gorges.
Some are easily accessible such as the Sychryd Cascades whilst many others require some walking and a sense of adventure to reach.
Back across the bridge and adjacent to the Village Hall is the start of The Powder Trail which follows a former tram road in the wooded, Afon Mellte river gorge and passes the ruins of the former gunpowder works and the watermills that powered the site.
The Elidir Trail is a waymarked, moderate, 3 mile walk (6 miles there and back) along the Afon Nedd Fechan to Pont Melin-fach, taking in Sgwd Gwladus, the Horseshoe and Lower and Upper Ddwli Falls. It starts at The Angel, opposite The Waterfalls Centre at Pontneddfechan and takes about 3-4 hours to complete.
The most well known waterfall is Sgwd yr Eira (Fall of Snow), the footpath to and behind which, is currently closed due to the unstable overhanging rocks above the path.
Please take great care around waterfalls as the spray can make paths and ledges slippery.
