Four Falls Trail in the Brecon Beacons
Last Updated: November 27, 2022
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW - THE FOUR FALLS TRAIL IN THE BRECON BEACONS
HOW TO GET HERE | WHERE TO PARK | FACILITIES | YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED | THE FALLS
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Splash In The Brecon Beacons Four Falls Trail
Wander into the sublime Brecon Beacons National Park, and you'll be met with a mountainous green landscape, complete with cascading waterfalls, trails and dense forests. No matter where you don the walking boots, you're in for a treat, and non more so than here on the Four Falls Trail.
Often known as the Four Waterfalls Walk, the path hugs the stretch of the Afon Hepste, just south of the petit village of Ystradfellte.
As you weave through the natural gorge carved from the fury of the river, you'll become at one with Mother Nature. Numerous shades of green carpet the riverbanks, across the forest floors and above, throughout the treetops. The birds chirp in their unusual high-pitched, happy-go-lucky way and the sounds of the pulsating river rumble over the rocks to the shallow pools below.
Although, be prepared to get wet. After all, these waterfalls are interactive, and in the summer months, when the weather warms up, you cannot miss a splash in the pools or behind one particular waterfall.
In this Four Falls Trail guide, I will walk you around some of the best waterfalls within the Brecon Beacons, complete with fresh details from my most recent trip in February 2022.
**Updated Nov 2022**
How to Get To The Four Falls Trail
There is only one real option of getting to the Brecon Beacons Four Falls trail, and that's by car.
The trail is roughly fifteen minutes north of Aberdare and 20 minutes northwest of Merthyr Tydfil, the two largest towns in the vicinity, just outside the Brecon Beacons National Park. If you need a postcode for your sat nav, try CF44 9JF.
If you're coming from Cardiff (south)
The quickest way from Cardiff would be to take the A470 directly north to Merthyr and then change on to the A465 west above Aberdare until you come to the A4059 at Hirwaun and head north. Then, when the road forks at Laura's Diner (which had gone on my last visit), take the left turn up to the car park. The total journey time is around 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you're coming from Swansea (Southwest)
The quickest way from Swansea is to take the A483 east, changing onto the B4290 before heading northeast on the A465. Or take the A4067 north to the M4 and on to the A465. Stay on the A465 until you reach Hirwaun. From here, take the A4059 north to Laura's Diner (which had gone on my last visit) and turn left following the road up to the car park. The total journey time is around 50 minutes.
If you're coming from Brecon (North)
Head south out of the town on the B4601 and change onto the A470. Stay on the A470 until you reach Laura's Diner (which had gone on my last visit), and turn right, up to the car park. The total journey time is around 30 minutes.
Lastly, if you're looking for beautiful views and a staggering single track driving road, I can highly recommend driving through the Cwm Cadlan Nature Reserve. The road goes between the little town of Penderyn, just south of Laura's Diner and the dazzling Llwyn-on Reservoir.
Top Quality Equipment for the Four Falls Trail
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Where to Park for the Four Falls Trail
Firstly, it is important to note that there are several car parks scattered around the Four Falls Trail.
The two main car parks to the north are; Gwaun Hepste - Four Falls Trail Car Park and Cwm Porth - Four Falls Waterfall Hike Car Park. Gwaun Hepste is open twenty-four hours a day and costs £5 per car. I am not 100% sure about the Four Falls Waterfall Hike Cwm Porth, but I believe this to be the same. I will update this on my next visit. You can now, only pay with card. Furthermore, there are very friendly and helpful attendants.
The walk to the first waterfall takes about 20 minutes from Cwm Porth and around 25 minutes from Gwaun Hepste. However, the path to Gwaun Hepste is a lot steeper and can be hard going after a long stroll around the four waterfalls walk.
There is a small car park to the west, aptly named Small Car Park. Regardless of its name, it's more of a layby than a car park, but you can park about 10 cars in there. Furthermore, it's open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and is free.
Finally, a good distance south is Dinas Car Park on the eastern fringes of Pontneddfechan, a small town to the south of the waterfalls. Dinas Car Park opens seven days a week between 8am and 5pm and is free.
Facilities on the Four Falls Trail
Once you start the Four Waterfalls Walk, the facilities are almost non-existent.
Whilst there are a good number of benches to take the weight off your weary feet, that's about as built up as it gets. If I'm honest, I don't even recall seeing a bin.
However, both Gwaun Hepste and Cwm Porth car parks have picnic areas, bins and somewhere to buy a hot or cold drink and a snack. The toilets at Gwaun Hepste have now been removed due to people setting fire to them. There are no toilets here now.
When it comes to food and drinks you can purchase them using either cash or card.
The Four Falls Trail - Your Questions Answered
Ordinarily, we don't all have the time to read all the information with blogs. Therefore, I'm going to hit you with the quick time figures you'll need to know.
How long is the Four Waterfalls Walk?
Give or take, it's 5.5 miles (9 kilometres).
How long does the Four Waterfalls Walk Take?
At a steady pace, you should be aiming for around 3.5 hours.
Should I wear proper walking boots?
100% yes. Whilst this can be done in trainers, I cannot stress this enough, take decent walking boots. It gets very wet and very muddy. If don't have any, I always recommend my pair of Karrimor Walking Boots.
Can you swim on the Four Waterfalls Walk?
Yes - At certain times of the year, you can swim in some of the shallow rock pools. Some people dive in certain places too, but unless you are a local and know where is safe, it's not recommended. I've seen how shallow some of the pools are, so I don't advise it.
Can I walk behind one of the Falls?
Yes, you can walk behind the most southerly of the four waterfalls, called Sgwd Yr Eira Waterfall.
Is the Four Waterfalls Walk suitable for dogs?
I don't have a dog, and personally, I wouldn't take them due to how muddy the walk can be. However, there was a good number of dogs running about. So it seems yes, yes it is.
How hard is the Four Falls Trail?
Honestly, it's harder on the legs than I was expecting. However, it isn't the most difficult walk you'll do in the Brecon Beacons. If you consider yourself fairly fit, it shouldn't be an issue. Although, the steps down to Sgwd Yr Eira Waterfall differ in size dramatically, and for those with short legs, it is a wild ride.
The Four Falls Trail
And now, it's time for what you've all been waiting for - The best waterfalls in Brecons Beacons.
From the two main car parks, there is a marked route which is easy to follow. You're taken on a journey through the Four Falls Waterfall in order from one to four. However, you don't have to stick to it.
Officially, from the carpark, the first waterfall is Sgwd Clu-Gwyn. The walk will take around twenty minutes depending on which car park you start from.
Sgwd Clun-Gwyn Waterfall
From here, the route heads over a tiny little stream with six large stones acting as stepping stones just to the right of the path you came in on. The aim is to follow the river as much as possible. Nevertheless, you will lose it from sight as it rages on below you at times.
If you're following the official route, you'll come to a marker post with a big sign about twenty minutes down the path. The sign points you right, down a hill, completing an almost 180-degree turn back on yourself. It can be very muddy, but thankfully, there are wooden planks in place just above the mud. There is a subtle but noticeable descent down to the next two waterfalls. A short fifteen-minute walk brings you out onto the rocks, where you'll see the vast and impressive Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn.
Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn
Once you've taken in the waterfall, the surroundings and the superb small canyon that leads you back upstream, you'll need to head to the third and arguably the most striking of the four waterfalls.
As the forest floor becomes boggy, wooden planks become more common underfoot. However, a short walk back upstream and a final clamber over the rocks brings you to a bend in the river, which showcases the third waterfall, Sgwd Y Pannwr.
The waterfall has five tiers and many shallow pools at the bottom. There is a small platform to stand on within the curvature of the river, providing great views up to the falls and back behind you as the river runs ferociously to the second waterfall.
Sgwd y Pannwr
The marked route now has you heading back in the direction you came from, past the second waterfall, and up the hill to the point where you did a 180-degree turn on yourself.
Nonetheless, there is an unofficial, quicker, yet more tricky path directly up from the third waterfall. You will see a small trail above you where people have climbed. It isn't for the faint-hearted, unfit or those with dogs - it's your call.
Likewise, you will see people coming down it, making the third waterfall number two and then moving on to number three (officially number two). I hope that makes sense.
No matter what you do, I whole-heartedly suggest you do climb up a level and walk around to the top of this fall. If anything, it's even more spectacular than at the bottom.
Anyway, we're heading down to our fourth waterfall, and either way, it's a good half an hour away.
Again, you cannot miss the waterfall as it's clearly marked, and there are several benches to rest. You'll see why when you look down. A hundred and seventy uneven, boggy and differing sized steps greet you.
Sgwd Yr Eira Waterfall
Once you've made it to the bottom and have caught your breath, you have a decision to make.
Do you want to get wet or not?
What am I talking about?
Well, on this last waterfall on the Four Falls Trail, you can go in behind the drop from either side of the river.
At times, like in this photo, the torrent is pretty strong, and you will get soaked just getting close to it. However, there are days when the flow is a lot less feisty. On days where the river isn't trying to drown you, you'll have better views from within and stay drier. In the summer months, it's a no brainer.
Whilst, in my opinion, this isn't the best looking of the four falls, it is the most fun, and let's be honest, going into a waterfall is just darn right cool.
Having enjoyed the last of the falls, you can make your way back to the carpark via two routes. Firstly, the way you came in along the river or secondly, a more direct, less pretty path straight back to the car park.
Leave a comment
Thanks for joining me on this hike through the Brecon Beacons four waterfalls walk. I'm sure you will have an incredible time here.
The four falls trail is a special place where nature reigns supreme, and all we can do is lap up its ambience and breath in the fresh air.
I hope you've found my blog easy to follow and, of course, helpful.
Please let me know in the comments below what you think. Have I missed a trick, or is there further you wish to know. I'm here to answer all your questions.
If hiking around the United Kingdom is your thing, check out the Pembrokeshire blog below.
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