Best waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons and Cambrian Mountains for swimming and walking
Best waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons & Cambrian Mountains
Discover 12 stunning waterfalls across the Brecon Beacons and Cambrian Mountains, from the dramatic Four Waterfalls Walk to remote Dolgoch and Cwm Gwesyn.
Most offer wild swimming opportunities in crystal-clear pools. Highlights include South Wales' tallest waterfall at Henrhyd, the tiered cascades of Nant y Llyn near Llyn y Fan Fawr, and the spectacular gorge at Sgwyd Gwladus. Many locations feature easy parking and peaceful woodland walks, with detailed grid references and routes provided throughout.
It goes without saying that the best time to go is after rain!
Stay in our luxury holiday cottages Cambrian Escapes near waterfalls to explore these waterfalls at your leisure.
Sgwyd Gwladus
is the pinnacle of a walk down an extraordinary gorge of numerous waterfalls. If you go after a storm, the sheer velocity of water going down the gorge, with water gushing out of every orifice, alongside the roaring noise of the water, is out of this world. We park at Pont Melin Fach SN 908 105 although
on NRW this car park is closed between March & October 2022 - we hope it's reopened but please check.
Cwm Gwesyn waterfall.
A walk up Cwm Gwesyn a beautiful and typical Cambrian Mountains valley, owned by the National Trust, ending in a huge, tiered waterfall. You won't see many people, if any, and you can also swim in a pool under the top section. Plenty of stream side picnic spots on the way up. You can also extend this walk to carry on to the Beehive cairns on Drygarn Fawr, above. See my blog for the best route.
Devil's Bridge
An iconic set of three bridges and a superb but steep waterfall walk in the Cambrian Mountains. There's an added bonus that you can eat and drink at the Hafod next door.
Pic credit:L Dafydd Wynn Morgan
Cwm Rhaeadr
On our doorstep and the tallest waterfall in Carmarthenshire. This is just a tiny section of it, it powers off the edge of a cliff into the forest below. You can do a full walk, where you can stand on the top of it and get fantastic views over to the Carmarthen Fans. route. This is also a great spot for a waterfall plunge.
Fan Hir Loop
There's a cracking loop, towards Llyn y Fan Fawr on the Beacons Way over Fan Hir above. But if you walk below It goes by several waterfalls, including this lovely one off the top of a cliff, which has a perfect photo spot.
Loop back along the ridge.
Park in the large layby just before Tafarn y Garreg. SA9 1GS
Four Waterfalls Walk
The perenially popular Four Waterfalls Walks is super but gets very busy in summer. You can now take a Park & Ride service to reach the falls and if you follow @visitbreconbeacons on social media, it will keep you posted on whether car parks are full, which is worth doing to avoid disappointment. Park at Cwm Porth or Gwaun Hepste. SN935123 or SN928124
Sgwyd y Pannwr
Sgwyd y Pannwr, Bannau Brycheiniog. This is one of the big 4 on the four waterfalls Trail. See the map above. Click on the pic for more walk info. Pic credit Visit WalesNew Paragraph
Nant y Llyn
This is the small stream the exits Llyn y Fan Fawr and is a superb flight of 4 or 5 waterfalls - each totally perfect for dipping. You can park at the bottom and cross the River Tawe to follow the sheep path up the side of the waterfalls. You can do a loop here up to Llyn y Fan Fawr and back round. But you may just not want to leave. Note: you will need to paddle across the river here if there's been lots of rain in winter, but summer you can hop accross. SN 85262 20235
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Dolgoch Waterfall
In the middle of nowhere on a byway up to the Elan Valley, near the remote and beautiful Dolgoch Hostel is this beautiful waterfall, flowing from a heart shaped rock. You can park right next to it. You probably won't see a soul. SN 80563 57298
Gwenffrwdd Dinas
RSPB's glorious Celtic Rainforest, runs alongside the Towy via a series of stunning cascades, culminatiing in the superb junction pool. There are icy dipping spots all the way down it. Route
Cwmystwyth
In the midst of the extraordinary landscape of Cwmystwyth an old mining village and one of the Cambrian Mountains' heritage sites, you'll find a huge waterfall tumbling down the side of a cliff above the ruined village on the left of this picture. Make a day of it and visit the Hafod Estate, Devil's Bridge Waterfalls and the wonderful Elan Valley. One of our recommended memorable drives out.
Henrhyd
The tallest waterfall in South Wales. It's a National Trust site and there's a longer walk you can enjoy down a wooded valley and passing by Melin Llech, a disused mill.
Blaen Y Glyn
Near Talybont Reservoir is a pretty walk through woods and open land. There's parking and a picnic area. Busy in high season as it is also the starting point to Fan Y Big and Cribyn. Nearest postcode CF48 2UT. Check out our circular, slightly scramble route.
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