All walks › Bannau Brycheiniog: Fforest Fawr and the Waterfalls
Bannau Brycheiniog: Fforest Fawr and the WaterfallsSgwd yr Eira
The waterfall you can walk behind, on a shorter route than the full four falls circuit, with a steep stepped descent into the gorge.
- Distance
- 3.1 mi / 5 km
- Time
- 2 hr
- Ascent
- 180 m
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Shape
- There and back
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
From Cwm Porth, take the signed path to Sgwd yr Eira, descending steps into the gorge to reach the ledge behind the water. Back the same way.
Worth knowing
- The ledge behind the fall is the whole point. You will get wet and the rock is slippery.
- Steep steps down and back up; the return climb is the hard part.
- Drovers used the path behind the fall to move sheep between valleys.
What you’ll see
The curtain of water from behind, the plunge pool, and gorge woodland.
Background
The name means the fall of snow, from the way the water spreads over the lip. The ledge behind was a working route across the river.