Cardiff is so close to the Brecon Beacons, so there are always waterfalls nearby. This area of Wales is also known as ‘waterfall country’, just because of how many waterfalls there are! If you’re planning on visiting some waterfalls near Cardiff, we’ve put together a list of the most popular ones, and everything you need to know about them!
1. Four falls walk
The Four falls walk is one of the best walks I’ve ever been on. During this walk, you get to see four different waterfalls, so obviously it’s a popular place to visit in Brecon. These waterfalls are in Ystradfellte, one of the prettiest places in the country with loads of paths, waterfalls, and even caves to explore. The main car park is the Cwm Porth Car Park (SA11 5UT), which is the closest place to park for the waterfall trail. There are other car parks, but these are more difficult to get to and hard to find on the map. This car park fills up fast, so it’s better to get there early! If you want to see all the waterfalls, there is some difficult terrain along the way, but some are more accessible than others. The whole walk can take up to 3 hours, but it’s so worth it. The views are incredible, so read on to find out more about these waterfalls near Cardiff!
2. Sgwd Clun-Gwyn
The first waterfall you will arrive at is Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, meaning ‘fall of the white meadow’. This waterfall is easy to get to, as there is a clear path to follow and no difficult terrain to battle with! With this waterfall, you can either stand up the top, or if you’re a bit more adventurous, climb down to the bottom to see it! The rocks up there are really slippery, so always keep that in mind when visiting. This guide gives more information on the walk, and even provides a map!
3. Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn
Next you’ll go to Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, translating to ‘lower fall of the white meadow’. The path does start to get more difficult after this waterfall, as you will have to step down some rocks. However, this waterfall is stunning, and some people even attempt to walk behind it! A lot of people also do some wild swimming during this walk, so it’s a great place if you’re interested in that as well.
4. Sgwd y Pannwr
Sgwd y Pannwr means ‘fall of the fuller’, and is one of the bigger waterfalls on the trail. The path becomes easier after this waterfall, so it’s definitely one to see if you can! You can stand at the top of this waterfall, and even sit on the rocks next to it. It’s a great place for pictures, but it can get pretty crowded on busy days.
5. Sgwd yr Eira
The last and most popular waterfall on the trail is Sgwd yr Eira, meaning ‘fall of the snow’. This is the busiest waterfall out of all of them, and there are plenty of reasons why. It is the easiest one to reach, as steps have been made for people to get down the hill. It’s a huge waterfall, with loads of rocks at the side for people to sit down and relax. However, the best thing about this waterfall is going behind it. This one is definitely safer to go behind than Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, as mostly everyone who goes there does it. This being the most popular waterfall also makes it the busiest, so if you’re going on a weekend or a sunny day, then the trail will be busy. This is one of the closest waterfalls near Cardiff, so if you’re only wanting to see one, then this is definitely the one to go for!
6. Henrhyd falls
Moving on from the 4 falls walk is Henrhyd falls. Although this waterfall is the tallest waterfall in south Wales, it’s definitely not the widest. You can also go behind this waterfall, and it’s usually a quieter one to visit. The coolest thing about this waterfall is that it was used in the Batman film The Dark Knight Rises. The best car park for this waterfall is the National Trust Car Park (SA10 9PH), which is around a 15-minute walk away from the waterfall!
7. Sgwd Gwladys
Sgwd Gwladys, or Lady Falls, is one of the smaller waterfalls on the list. However, it’s a great spot for wild swimming, and a lovely place to sit down and relax. There are a few more car parks around this area, but the best one is the Waterfall Country Car Park (SA11 5NP), which is right next to the entrance. There are other car parks nearby, such as the Dinas Rock Car Park (SA11 5NE), but you will have to walk longer to reach the waterfall. From the main car park, it’s about a 30 minute walk to the waterfall, and you can go up one path and come back the other way on the other side of the river! There is more information on how to get to the waterfall here, and also other waterfalls you can see nearby as well!
Brecon is such a stunning place, and honestly no matter where you go, you will always find something beautiful there. If you’re in the Cardiff area and looking for something else to do, read our article on the best hidden gems in Cardiff!
