Everything you need to know about the Four Waterfalls Walk
Sometimes referred to as the Four Falls Trail, the Four Waterfalls Walk in the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales is a must-do walk for adventure, beauty and wild swimming pools. It will come as no surprise that the Four Falls walk is exactly what it says it is, a trail in Ystradfellte, with four waterfalls surrounded by scenic woodlands, managed by Natural Resources Wales. The track lies above the River Mellte and Afon Hepste River and forms part of the Fawr Geopark.
On this Brecon Beacons waterfall walk, you will see the enchanting four waterfalls; Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, and Sgwd-yr-Eira. It is beautiful to see so many unique and beautiful waterfalls so close together, which means this 4 waterfalls walk is unmissable. Waterfall County is a Special Area of Conservation and Site of Special Scientific Interest and is very well looked after.
It is also an extremely popular attraction, so be prepared for many people who also want to see the Brecon waterfalls. However, you should also not underestimate the difficulty of this walk. There are many steep, slippery steps, so take your time and remember you can always return to see the waterfalls, so you do not necessarily have to visit all of them in one day. The final waterfall, Sgwd-yr-Eira, is down 170 steps, which you have to walk back up!
In this complete guide, we share with you written directions for the 4 waterfalls walk , car park instructions, facilities, and what you should expect from this popular walk in Waterfall County.
Key Details about the Four Waterfalls Walk
Four Waterfalls Walk Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Four Waterfalls Walk Distance: 4.6miles (7.5 km)
Elevation Gain: 247m
Difficulty: moderate (there are many steep steps and muddy paths).
Walk Type: Circular
Accessibility: unfortunately, the Brecon Beacons waterfall walk is not appropriate for bikes, pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Four Waterfalls Walk Tips:
- Wear suitable footwear because the path is rocky, uneven, slippery and muddy (especially after rain). Some signs will advise you of dangerous terrain too.
- There is limited phone coverage in the area (you will likely find none), so make sure you download or take a map with you so you do not get lost. We use All Trails to help guide our walks. The Brecon Beacons Waterfalls Walk is well signposted, and there are numbers, but there are some places where you will need to look at the map, too, as it can be confusing.
- Many people swim in the waterfalls, if you are planning to be very careful, the water is cold, and the currents can be rapid. However, it is advised not to because even strong swimmers can get into trouble, and the water can result in a cold-water shock.
- Stay on the marked paths to help with erosion. The landscape is delicate and can be damaged easily.
- Take all litter home with you and leave this place beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Leave no trace.
- It is a popular and busy route; remember to be respectful of others and try to visit at quieter times, such as weekdays, early mornings and not during school holidays. The car parks will likely be full by noon.
- Check out the Brecon Beacons National Park Facebook page for any updates before you go.
- Take snacks and drinks with you on the walk. Although, there is the opportunity to buy them at the information centre in a small shop at the beginning of the Four Falls Trail.
Four Waterfalls Walk Car Park and how to get there:
The best way to reach the Four Falls Trail is by car because the area is relatively isolated. It is only 1 hour 20-minutes from Cardiff, 50 minutes from Swansea and 1 hour-25 minutes from Newport. However, the roads are very narrow and often are single lanes, so be ready to reverse and respect others.
There is a free Park and Ride service from Glynneath town and the village of Pontneddfechan. The service runs during the summer and will run on Saturdays and Sundays. Please visit the Waterfall Country Park and Ride Service’s Website for up to date information to see if it is running when you plan to go.
The main Four Waterfalls car parks are the Cwm Porth Car Park and the Gwaun Hepste car park. Both car parks will take you to the start of the same trail, but we parked in Cwm Porth Car Park because this car park has facilities.
Here you will find toilets, an information centre, picnic benches, maps and information about the area. You can also visit Porth yr Ogofis, the largest cave entrance in Wales. It is 17m wide and 5m tall. It is located down some steps underneath the information boards in the middle of the car park.
Four Waterfalls walk postcode: CF44 9JF.
Click here for Google Maps directions to the Cwm Porth Car Park.
The car park costs £5 per car for all-day parking, and the money goes towards looking after the car parks and the trails. You can pay in both cash and card in both car parks. There is an option for contactless too.
However, this walk gets extremely busy, and spaces are limited. Therefore, if you arrive when the car parks are full, you will need to bring cash with you for the overflow above the Cwm Porth Car Park, as they do not accept cards. You can check what the car parks are like before going on the Waterfall Country Car Park Status Website. If it is red, you should try and go somewhere else.
If you do not park in one of the car parks, you will likely be fined.
Four Waterfalls Walk Directions in 5 Steps:
1. Waterfall One: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn [The Fall of the White Meadow]
From the visitor centre, take the path that goes over the road following the signpost for Sgwd Clun Gwyn via Hendre Bolom.
Continue along the path, through the gate and along the stony path for roughly 1.4km and then take a right slightly downhill until you join a bigger track.
Afterwards, take the right-hand path following the wooden fence. You should be able to hear the first waterfall below you in the gorge.
Follow the stony steps downhill, and you will see the 9m high cascade to your right. There is the option to walk to the left side and go down underneath the waterfall too. Stop here to enjoy the serenity of the water from above or below. Then prepare to head to the second of the Brecon waterfalls.
2. Waterfall Two: Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn [Lower Fall of the White Meadow]
From here, keep the river on your right and follow the main path near the edge, under the trees. Many trails go down, but you should follow the more obvious path above the river; otherwise, you will have to go up again.
Continue through the woodland, going slightly up and down, and the path is narrow and quite slippery because it is covered by the sun. However, the track will go under some jagged rocks, which are pretty cool. After the second section of rocks, the second waterfall Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn will be to your right underneath you. Follow the path downhill next to the 30m high waterfall.
As you go down, turn right to take a picture close to the falls. After you have a shot, continue down towards the water. You can wild swim and jump in the large pool here if you want. But be careful, as the current is quite strong.
3. Waterfall Three: Sgwd y Pannwr [Fall of the Woollen Washer]
If swimming is not for you, continue along the main path with the cascade of water flowing to your right for approximately 300m until you reach the next of the Brecon waterfalls that will be right in front of you – it is an impressive 15m high.
You can use the wooden boards to help avoid the mud; we found these beneficial, even on a bright summer’s day. This waterfall is magnificent, and by now, you are probably wondering how the last waterfall on your Brecon Beacons waterfall walk can top the ones you have seen already.
4. Waterfall Four: Sgwd-yr-Eira [Fall of the Snow]
From the third of the Brecon waterfalls, follow the right turn into the woodland that goes up some artificial steps. Go up the steps and take a right turn going through a rocky path with some wooden boards. Follow the green arrowed sign and go up the second step of artificial steps. Continue uphill along this path for another 200m. Eventually, you will reach a 3-way signpost, and you should follow the right direction of Sgwd yr Eira.
After 200m, you will see another 3-way signpost. Follow the right-hand trail and go downhill to the falls! There are many steps, so take your time as you go down, there are some handrails to help, but they don’t go the whole way down.
At the bottom, you will arrive at an impressive 10m high fall. In the summer months, many people are swimming in them and walking to stand behind the waterfall as the path will take you right behind it. To get closer to the waterfall, you will have to step over many steps, so take your time, as they can be slippery.
5. Back to the Car Park
Once you are satisfied with your pictures, you will need to head back up the stairs again to rejoin the path. At the top, turn right following the Parking sign for Gwaun Hipster. The route will bend left, and you should follow the stony path uphill, turning left at the signpost in the car park direction.
The path becomes quite broad and shaded under the trees. After roughly 1.1km, continue straight following the Cwm Porth parking sign, and you will soon be back on the track you began on. Pass through the gates, and after 1.5km, you have arrived back at the car park. Remember to cross the road carefully.
Congratulations, you have completed the Four Waterfalls Walk in the Brecon Beacons!
FAQ about the Brecon Beacons Waterfalls walk
How long is the 4 Waterfalls Walk?
The Four Falls trail we suggest is 4.6 miles. However, there is the option to make the walk longer.
How hard is the Four Waterfalls Walk?
The 4 Waterfalls walk some steep steps that can be strenuous. The terrain is also quite muddy and uneven, which can be pretty tricky at times.
Where does the Four Waterfalls Walk start?
You can begin the Four Falls trail from different places, but the most convenient is Cwm Porth because of its facilities.
Where do you park for the Four Waterfalls Walk?
There are different places to park, but the two main car parks are Cwm Porth and Gwaun Hipster.
Is the Four Waterfalls Walk dog friendly?
Many people bring their dogs on the Four Waterfalls Walk. But there are steep steps and edges and slippery rocks.
What can I do nearby the 4 Waterfalls Walk?
Nearby you can visit Henrhyd Falls, one of the biggest waterfalls in Wales at 90ft, it is in The Dark Knight Rises Batman film, so you may recognise it if you are a fan!
Are you interested in other Brecon Beacons walks and activities?
Please read our guides to:
Pen y Fan walk: the highest mountain in Southern Britain.
Sugarloaf Mountain: not quite a mountain, but a wonderful Welsh walk.
Gorge Walking in Wales: a fun activity to try in the Brecon Beacons.
We only recommend things that we have personally tried and love using on our travels and hikes.
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