Sgwd Gwladys Walk

Although it is close to the spectacular Four Falls Walk, I think that Sgwd Gwladys deserves a visit of its own as it offers very scenic views.  Located in Waterfall Country (Brecon Beacons), the short walk really lives up to the reputation of the region in terms of beauty and magic.

Practical information

Location: Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK.

Duration: 2h20

Distance: 6.7 miles (10.8 km)

Difficulty: You know what? I was about to tell you that it is an intermediate walk, as I found it fairly difficult at times, especially since the terrain was damp and slippery, but then I remembered that while we were proceeding to a bridge, we saw a woman with a crutch and a toddler further down the path. The woman was holding the crutch in one hand and herding up the toddler (who was brandishing a naked Barbie doll) with the other, and she was smoking a big fat joint at the same time. So at this point, I don’t know what to tell you.

Equipment: crutches, Barbie doll, toddler, reasonable quantities of marijuana, good boots and water.

Free parking lots:

Directions

The directions are very straightforward since all you have to do is follow rivers. It’s very difficult to get lost there, even if you try really hard (but not impossible if, say, you don’t want to follow the path, signposts, and common sense).

From Cardiff (1 hour), follow A470 and A465 to A4109 in Glynneath, then proceed with the instructions in bold. From Swansea (40 min), take the A4109 exit from A465 and continue on Pontneathvaughan Road to Heol Calch in Powys. Park at the National Trust car park in Pont Melin-Fach (Heol Calch, Neath SA11 5UR).

Follow the signposts to the main path until you reach River Neath. Follow the river downstream without leaving the path. Don’t forget to close the kissing gates behind you; there are enough sheep roaming in Wales as it is.

Proceed south until the Neath meets the Pyrddin River. Cross the bridge and follow the Pyriddin upstream.  At about 250 yards (220 metres) from the confluence, you’ll see Sgwd Gwladys (“the Lady Falls”).

After taking the mandatory Instagram pictures, turn back and follow the Pyriddin downstream back to River Neath. There, cross the bridge again and walk south to the end of the path in Pontneddfechan, where you will find the visitors’ centre and the public toilets.

If you feel like having a nice lunch and turning your short outing into a proper pub walk, I recommend stopping by at the Angel Inn, where you should definitely order the chicken breast topped with bacon and a pint of the local ale. If the weather is nice enough, you’ll be able to enjoy a lovely break on one of the picnic tables just outside the inn before getting back on the path.

Just go back to where you came from and follow the Neath River upstream until you reach your starting point. Don’t forget to take the time to admire the many smaller falls and brooks along the path, and to observe the wildlife (the frogs really aren’t shy there).

“Now why isn’t there a single picture of Sgwd Gwladys in this post?” you’ll ask, and that would be an excellent question. Well, the reason is very simple: as we did that walk during the hottest summer of the century, the waterfall was… dry. Not a single drop of water in sight. So instead here are a few photographs taken along the rest of the path.

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