The trail follows a former tram road in the wooded, Afon Mellte river gorge – a designated Special Area of Conservation. It passes the ruins of the former gunpowder works and the watermills that once powered the site.
Useful info
Nearest town/Village: Pontneddfechan, Glyn-Neath
OS Grid Reference: Explorer Map OL 12 or Landranger Map 160 – SN 911 080
Contact: Waterfalls centre, Pontneddfechan on 01639 721795 and National Park Visitor Centre on 01874 623366.
After heavy rain some sections of path can become muddy. There are several walk options for this site which includes a 1km walk to a wide footbridge across the Mellte which overlooks a weir and mill ‘leats’. A 400 metre accessible walk, with a softer surface, is possible upstream. The route is level with a stone-dust surface. At several points along the trail are audio information boxes –just turn the handle and listen to the story of the local industrial heritage and wildlife!
Toilets: There are public toilets near the Waterfalls Centre, Pontneddfechan although the closest disabled access toilets are at Cwm Porth car park near Ystradfellte (Grid Ref SN 928 125) or at Aberdare. There is a disabled access toilet located in the community hall (part-time opening hours).
View looking southwest from Cwmdu Evidence suggests that…