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Bannau Brycheiniog Waterfall Country | A Day in the Gorges

Waterfall Country is the name for the wooded gorges around Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte in the south of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), where the rivers Mellte, Hepste, Pyrddin and Nedd Fechan drop over a series of waterfalls. It's part of the Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark. This day combines the best-known walk with one of the tallest falls in south Wales and the show caves at Dan-yr-Ogof.

Morning: the waterfall walk from Pontneddfechan

Park in Pontneddfechan and start from The Angel Inn, the pub at the foot of the waterfall trail. The riverside path follows the Nedd Fechan and the Mellte up to Sgwd yr Eira, where the path goes behind the curtain of water. It's about five miles there and back, with some rocky, slippery sections. Allow three to four hours and wear walking boots. Back at the Angel Inn, there's cask ale and home-cooked food.

Early afternoon: Henrhyd Falls

Drive a few miles north-west to Coelbren and walk down to Henrhyd Falls, where the Nant Llech drops about 27 metres into a wooded gorge. It's the tallest waterfall in the national park, and the short path from the National Trust car park is steep.

Late afternoon: Dan-yr-Ogof and Craig y Nos

Continue into the upper Swansea valley to the National Showcaves Centre for Wales at Dan-yr-Ogof, with three show caves and a dinosaur park. Across the road, Craig y Nos Country Park has riverside walks and lakes in the grounds of Craig y Nos Castle, the Victorian home of the opera singer Adelina Patti. The castle now has rooms and a restaurant.

Good to know

• The waterfall paths are rough and slippery after rain. Don't swim in the plunge pools; the water is deep and cold.
• Car parks fill early on summer weekends and bank holidays. Arrive before 10am.
• The Bannau Brycheiniog Visitor Centre near Libanus, north of the gorges, has maps and advice.
• See our waterfalls page for more.