Entrance into Porth yr Ogof |
Sgwd yr Eira |
|
Entrance into Porth yr Ogof |
Sgwd yr Eira |
Drive south out of Brecon on the A470, travelling
towards Merthyr Tydfil follow this for just over 3 miles,
A little way past the village of Libanus,
turn right onto A4215.
FROM HERE THE ROAD IS MOSTLY
SINGLE TRACK - TAKE CARE! Go just over 1 mile, turn left near bottom of
hill signboard to ‘YSTRADFELLTE’
After about 2.5 miles you will cross a cattle
grid and start to climb quite a steep hill over mountain pass
KEEP IN LOW GEAR!
Continue along this road until you reach
YSTRADFELLTE
As you come into village center there is a pub
on your right and a road junction.
Swinging wide, turn Left into a
very narrow minor road.
Follow the river to the cave entrance.
You can scramble over the rocks into the cave BUT
DO NOT GO BEYOND THE 'WHITE HORSE POOL'
Return to the carpark, cross over the road and stile, then follow the route of the old river bed until you come to the exit of the cave.
From here follow the river downstream, after about 1 mile you will arrive at a bridge.
Keep straight on and uphill and you will soon arrive at the first waterfall - Sgwd Clun-Gwyn.
NOTE: - Take care near the top of the falls! Explore this area with care.
Following the river downstream there is a second waterfall - Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn.
From here on there are many exhilarating walks to other waterfalls, but the route involves some narrow paths high above the river along with some rock scrambling, so is only suitable for fit and agile walkers.
From the top of this second waterfall, go to your left and down to the river level.
Cross over rocks until you are opposite the waterfall.
Follow this path with GREAT CARE, it is very narrow in places, high above the river and has rock overhangs.
Follow this to where the path suddenly starts to go back downhill.
NOTE: - Do not follow this path downhill, as this just leads down to the river and you will have to return back to this point.
Instead, turn left and climb up about 250 feet up a steep slope leading out of the gorge.
On reaching the top take a well earned rest!
When ready, turn to your right and join the path, and after a short distance you will arrive at a point where there is a turning to the right.
Turn right and follow this all the way to the river.
On reaching the river, the 'Afon Hepste'
Turn left and follow the river upstream until you reach the next waterfall.
From the viewing platform, stand facing the top of the waterfall and to your left you will see a rock-field rising high above you.
You now have a choice.
Either scramble up over this rock field until you reach the path, about 200 feet above you and then turn right, or you can retrace your steps back to the last junction, then turn right, join and follow the same path.
Once on this path follow all the way until you reach the river again.
Turn left and follow to the final waterfall of this walk -
Sgwd yr Eira
Follow the path around behind the fall of water. The path leads on from here to the village of Penderyn, but you now need to return back behind the waterfall, and walk downstream about 50 yards or so, to where dry land juts out into the river.
Turn right and follow the steps leading up out of the gorge. I'm not sure how many steps there are, but I do know there's a lot!!!
On reaching to top, turn left and follow along the top of the gorge, keeping to the left of a fir tree plantation, keeping high above the river until you arrive at the SECOND pathway leading down on your left.
Follow this path back down to rejoin the river near the bridge. Follow the river upstream back to the Porth-Yr-Ogof car park
PLEASE NOTE: - The Sgwd Yr Eira Waterfall is CLOSED at present due to dangerous overhanging rocks
Go just over 2 miles to just before right hand
bend and turn left onto a minor road towards Heol Senni.
About half way up there are
2 HAIRPIN BENDS where you
WILL need 1st GEAR!
Turn right and go on up the hill to just before
the Y.H.A.(on the right).
Follow with care for about 400 yards and pull
into the car park on your Left
Cross over the stile to your left, down to the Afon Mellte.
PLEASE NOTE: - The Sgwd Yr Eira Waterfall is CLOSED at present due to dangerous overhanging rocks