Four Waterfalls Walk

Came here last weekend with my partner and we were lucky as the weather made the walk ideal (with just a little drizzle and the odd appearance of the sun!). The walk itself took just over 3 hours at a decent pace. There are a couple of paid car parks – think it was £4 (so for a family of 4 you can have a wonderful day out for just £1 each! Make sure you remember which one you park in though for your walk back! You are provided with a map on arrival and given an explanation of your route and the paths are easy to follow, although there are quite a few steep steps in areas and also the path can be wet, uneven and slippery, so make sure you have appropriate footwear. Each waterfall is different and there is one where you can actually walk behind the water (Sgwd yr Eira). The only annoying thing was that some people were not adhering to social distancing at all (especially at Sgwd yr Eira) – they would push past you, walk really close, not step aside – especially in their haste to get somewhere or to grab a photo. This made what should have been a relaxing walk a little stressful. There was plenty of space for people not to have to crowd you and also space to step back to let people pass, so why most were not bothering was beyond me (this was particularly worrying on the steep steps were people were puffing and panting great big breaths out as the struggled along) We spent a lot of time standing aside to let streams of people pass and nobody seemed to want to stop to let us past. Aside from this a great walk, lovely scenery and got some great pics!

What a beautiful place. We went in autumn and happen to catch a day which was dry for most part, slightly chilly and a bit wet. Parked at one of the car parks marked on the map (could not find the other one 🙈). Please just note, road to the car park is pretty much one track road and slightly hilly so drive with caution…

Once parked (£5 all day. Take cash though there is option to pay by card, signal can be unreliable), a straight forward walk to first waterfall. Lovely big path through the forest and down to waterfall number 1 (just note the walk back is uphill !). Maps and numbered route points everywhere so can be followed easily. From this first waterfall you can go back on main path or walk along the river edge to next one(would not recommend this for anyone with young children or mobility issues). We took main path back… straight to next three waterfalls… we started with the two which fell at points 20-30… then on the way back went down to see the amazing fall which you can walk behind. 170 steps down to get to it but oh so worth it even in late autumn. Got completely drenched but very worthwhile. Would absolutely visit again in warmer weather, however only the final waterfall for us… gorgeous outstandingly beautiful landscape and great hike. If not stopping to see the waterfalls, the walk along main path is doable by anyone… all the waterfalls require you to walk down steps/landscapes so not ideal for anyone with mobility issues or very young children (IMO). Look forward to the next visit 💗

I was a little apprehensive beforehand as i was concerned i would get lost in the middle of nowhere or not be able to find the waterfalls. However, i shouldnt have worried at all, it was superbly managed with directions throughout the entire trail.

We arrived around 10am and found the Cwm Porth car park full so went on and found a place at Gwaun Hepste car park. It was £4 to park and there is a little tea and coffee caravan you can make use of as well as some portaloos. Wardens are also on hand to help you out if you need it.

The walk down from Gwaun Hepste onto the circular trail is very steep in parts (not so good for returning). My daughter says it is far less strenuous from Cwm Porth.

The trails and waterfalls are well signposted (take a picture of the maps on display at the car parks for reference). When you leave the main trails to reach the waterfalls it is obviously steep and quite slippy / muddy so take your time and wear good footwear.

As it takes around 3-4 hours it is also worthwhile taking drinks and snacks with you.

Just take your time, relax and go and enjoy the spectacular falls.

We are home now, our feet and legs ache, but it was well worth it (unfit husband and wife in our 50s)

Really impressed with how well organised and signposted things were.

Parked at Gwaun Hepste, 31st August. Horrible man made path (almost a road) down to circular track and from the moment of arrival to the moment of leaving completely mobbed by people. Walked down only to one waterfall as social distancing completely impossible due to sheer numbers of people on track. Felt the most uncomfortable I have felt since start of Covid-19 way of life, which was the last thing I expected. Poorly equipped people too with loads of litter being left everywhere and no wildlife due to the number of people there. Restrictions/booking should definitely be put in place as there were signs at the car park urging 2m distancing but this was completely impossible on the track to the waterfall which was not even 2m wide. Just wanted to leave as soon as the first waterfall was done.

Without the hundreds of people I think this would have been nice enough and we should perhaps have realised on bank holiday it would have been busy but even so, I would still have been very disappointed.

As long as you are reasonably fit it’s a decent four hour walk but at no point, even when there was a rare ‘people free’ moment did I feel I was in the great outdoors in nature. Just all too contrived and man made. Won’t be returning.

Parked in Cwm Porth Car park and took the green trail. Spent most of the walk side by side to the river and along the rocky terrain. The Sgwd Clun-Gwyn was the first waterfall we encountered, we somehow unintentionally bypassed Waterfall 2 and 3 and went straight to Sgwr yr Eira. The trek down to see the Sgwd yr Eira and then back up should not be underestimated, and proved a challenge to someone like me with reasonable fitness levels. We did ultimately see the other 2 waterfalls on our journey back.

We had planned for an approximate 3.5 hour hike, however ended up spending 6 hours in total due to the beauty and epic photo opportunities with the waterfalls on a clear warm day. This meant that we were 45 minutes away from our car park at 17:35, when the Cwm Porth Car Park shuts at 18:00. Once we realised the time, we sprinted through the rocks, sped along the paths and had to apologise to fellow Hikers for not giving way. We made it to the car park bang on 18:00. Needless to say my knees and ankles are a bit sore today.

All in all this will live long in the memories

We arrived at the Gwaun Hepste carpark at 1045 on a sunny Friday morning expecting it to be quite full. It was just about empty, though, apart from a few cars and a number of volunteers, one of whom pointed out the best place for us to park and the location of the parking meter (which accepts cards and coins). There were porta loos, and a little caravan selling drinks, and the parking was £5 a day. At the trailhead, where there's a map of the walk, there were a couple more volunteers who gave us lots of helpful advice. Not counting the descent to each of the waterfalls, and the climb back up again, the trail itself is quite gentle; and the countryside that it goes through is so pretty that that alone is worth a visit. When you leave the trail to get to the falls the going gets much more difficult, with lots of steep steps. All four falls are absolutely beautiful, but I would say that Sgwd Isaf Clyn-gwyn is probably the prettiest. It's also the furthest off the trail, though. Sgwd yr Eira is the most impressive, as you can walk behind the curtain of water, but it was also the busiest. By the time we got back to the carpark at 1445 it was much busier, but there were a few spaces, and the volunteers were still on hand with lots of information about other walks in the area. I would definitely recommend the walk and would guess that it would be lovely in most weathers. We only live about 20 miles away, but I wouldn't have been disappointed if I'd travelled much further.

Parking - be prepared to have some cash (£5 in our case) as you might have to park in one of the extra parking areas based in a field 10 min walk from the visitor centre if their parking is full.
The walk was fabulous, we saw all four waterfalls and enjoyed the stunning river/cave views. We didn't have the walking boots but wore quite sturdy trainers and this worked well for us.
The visitor centre offers a good choice of souvenirs, however the wait for food (burgers I think?) was at that time 30+ min and we didn't bother waiting and went to the nearest town Pontneddfechan where are some pubs with higher quality meals.
I recommend seeing the four waterfalls if you like long walks in the nature and enjoy being near the water.

Stunning walk with a lot to see but put aside a good few hours and remember some walking boots for the journey!
We made the mistake of not taking lunch on the walk and only got to see the first waterfall and cave, still a great walk nevertheless.
From the Four Waterfalls Carpark it is around a 30 minute walk before you get to the first waterfall, was relatively busy on the day we went but still got some great views and photos.

Carpark was a challenge to get too with the narrow Welsh roads surrounding but easy to navigate out, costs £5 to park on the site we chose. Toilets are at the carpark too.

Would definitely go back to see the remaining waterfalls but go prepared for sure!

Fantastic walk in the mud and rocks of Wales.

After parking in the paid (£5) car parking area (wonderful attendant found us the last spot, we stopped at the small shop before starting along the trail to the waterfalls.

Shop:
Small space, selection of confectionary, soft drinks and novelty items.

Waterfall Trail:
Can be difficult in places and unlike us, you should definitely wear hiking/ walking boots as some of the paths can get very muddy and quite a few rocks to climb over/around. We enjoyed the walk but having a few mobility issues, found it hard to the point we only managed to get to 3/4 of the waterfalls.

Waterfalls:
Truly spectacular and can get busy, we went on a weekday during the holidays and still had to contend with hundreds of people. Well worth a visit and loads of photo opportunities.

Planning on returning soon and finishing of the last waterfall with family.

I'd like to thank the staff who look after the wide variety of individuals and groups who visit the cave, waterfalls in particular those who use the car park. As motorbike riders we were well looked after. On a day, today when the air temperature was 33 degrees their courteous, willingness to give excellent advice coupled with their enthusiasm for these natural surroundings is outstanding. Motorbike riders and all need to take more suitable footwear if you want to visit the first of the waterfalls. We enjoyed the caves.