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Henrhyd Waterfalls (Sgwd Henrhyd) from Craig y Nos Walk

Rewarding walk through Craig y Nos Country Park and above the Tawe River or via the Cribarth limestone plateau, then up a scenic wooded gorge to South Wales' highest waterfall

Brecon Beacons

History

Club walks since April 2015, and a summary which goes back to Jan 2010.

Date Option Post # Weather
Mon, 14-Jul-25 Henrhyd Waterfall (Craig-y-Nos Circular), with or without the Cribarth Limestone Plateau [Brecon Trip] 7 sunny overcast and with short showers
Mon, 20-Jul-20 Henrhyd Waterfall (Craig-y-Nos Circular), with or without the Cribarth Limestone Plateau [Brecon Trip] 10 sunny
Sun, 06-May-18 [Brecon Trip] [Easy Walk] Bluebells and Waterfalls: Henrhyd Falls – Sgwd Henrhyd (Craig y Nos Circular) hot and sunny
Mon, 01-May-17 [Brecon Trip] Bank Holiday South Wales' highest waterfall: Henrhyd Falls – Sgwd Henrhyd (Craig y Nos Circular) 33 initially damp but then drying and ultimately sunny conditions
Thomas G
Length : 13.4 km (8.3 mi) [longer options available]
Ascent/Descent : 270m
Net Walking Time : 4 hours
Toughness : 3 out of 10
Take the 09.08 bus T6 (direction Ystradgynlais for Abertawe/Swansea) from Stand 5 to Craig y Nos Castle, arrives 09.48.
Return buses run at 13.19, 14.19, 15.41, 16.23 (arrives 16.59), 17.26 (arrives 18.02), 18.31, 19.29.
Buses out of Brecon to Abergavenny leave at 14.05, 17.05 and 18.23 (arrives Station Road 19.20).
The last (reasonably fast) train from Abergavenny to London leaves at 20.41 .

The walk starts through the Craig y Nos Country Park, an idyllic spot on the banks of the Afon Tawe (River Tawe) with its Victorian Gothic building (now a hotel), which was home to the world-renowned opera singer Adelina Patti from 1878 to 1919. The route then follows quiet bridleways and country lanes with excellent views across the valley to the Cribarth mountain, to a steep cliff edge above the Tawe River which it then follows for an extended stretch, with the river running below in rapids.

You then leave the Tawe to walk up a spectacular wooded ravine, formed by the Nant Llech. The river’s name (‘Rock Slab Stream’ in English) derives from the rock strata that tilt or dip to create small waterfalls along its course, several of which can be observed from close quarters. The wooded gorge (owned and managed by the National Trust) is an Ancient Woodland, meaning many of the trees (especially on the southern bank) have never been felled. It is also a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) for its humid habitat, supporting a wide range of damp-loving species.

You ascend through the scenic gorge to a natural amphitheatre, carved out over millennia by the highest waterfall in South Wales, the Sgwd Henrhyd (Henrhyd Waterfall), which drops down a rocky ledge forming a water curtain you can walk behind. From there country lanes and paths across pastures get you a prized lunch pub in Pen y Cae and then back along the bridleways and lanes of the outward route to finish with a riverside loop through the Craig y Nos Country Park to its tea rooms.


Walk Options:
Alternative Start , further north in Glyntawe (same bus), for a slightly longer and tougher walk (14.3 km/8.9 mi).
Longer, explore a variation of the morning route by climbing up to the Cribarth plateau from Craig y Nos first to pick up the route in Ynyswen (with or w/o the longer start from Glyntawe).
Lunch : Pen y Cae Inn Restaurant, Gallery & Zoo! (10.5 km/6.4 mi, may or may not be open on a Monday).
Tea : Changing Seasons Tea Rooms & Restaurant in Craig y Nos or The Gwyn Arms in Glyntawe.
For walk directions and options, route map, height profile, photos or gpx/kml files click here.
  • Thomas G
    Jul-25

    6 of the previous 14 met eventually in the car park of the Craig y Nos Country Park, fortuitously insofar as 4 of those should have been out of sight by then, ie the bus takers. But said bus got delayed by a 'first ever in SWC history', a total stop of road traffic due to the bi-annual sheep corralling near Crag village: about 10 sheepdogs and a similar number of shepherds (some on quad bikes, more on horseback) driving hundreds and hundreds of the wooly monsters down the road to a farm (for shearing or inoculations?).

    The 4 then got further delayed by the public footpath through the CP being closed for fallen trees. Now, this is often OTT and not really necessary, but - as we saw later - here it was.

    So we reverse-walked the end of the route to get around the closed paths. And so bumped into father and son, who came with a reinforcement, namely the mother of the son (living locally).

    The streams, rivers and waterfalls weren't obviously as full as they can be and have been on previous outings, but nevertheless everyone enjoyed the route and plenty of photos were taken at the sgwd, with us going behind the water curtain.

    3 short showers (1 while in the wooded gorge, ie a non-event) brought out the rain covers and we also had a stop at the Pen y Cae Inn, then left in good time to make the 15.41 buses either to Neath (1) or Brecon (3). The Neath bus was delayed, the Brecon one turned up more delayed with the destination showing as 'Out of Service', this being explained by the driver (who briefly stopped to just do that) by pointing at the luggage rack which was dangerously dangling off the ceiling as the bottom fixtures had broken. Another 'SWC first', surely.

    7 sunny overcast and with short showers

Thomas G
Length: 13.4 km (8.3 mi) [longer options available]
Ascent/Descent: 270m; Net Walking Time: 4 hours
Toughness: 3 out of 10
Take the 09.20 bus (line T6) from Bus Stand 5 at Brecon Bus Interchange, arrives Craig y Nos Castle/Adelina Patti Hospital at 09.55.
Return buses (from Glyntawe, before Craig-y-Nos Country Park) run at 13.38 (arrives 14.12) and at 15.55 (arrives 16.29). [There’s also an 18.08, arriving 18.42…]
Buses out of Brecon to Abergavenny leave at 14.56 and 17.00.
The last train from Abergavenny to London leaves at 20.45.
The walk starts through the Craig y Nos Country Park, an idyllic spot on the banks of the Afon Tawe (River Tawe) with its Victorian Gothic building (now a hotel), which was home to the world-renowned opera singer Adelina Patti from 1878 to 1919. The route then follows quiet bridleways and country lanes with excellent views across the valley to the Cribarth mountain, to a steep cliff edge above the Tawe River which it then follows for an extended stretch, with the river running below in rapids.
You then leave the Tawe to walk up a spectacular wooded ravine, formed by the Nant Llech. The river’s name (‘Rock Slab Stream’ in English) derives from the rock strata that tilt or dip to create small waterfalls along its course, several of which can be observed from close quarters. The wooded gorge (owned and managed by the National Trust) is an Ancient Woodland, meaning many of the trees (especially on the southern bank) have never been felled. It is also a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) for its humid habitat, supporting a wide range of damp-loving species.
You ascend through the scenic gorge to a natural amphitheatre, carved out over millennia by the highest waterfall in South Wales, the Sgwd Henrhyd (Henrhyd Waterfall), which drops down a rocky ledge forming a water curtain you can walk behind. From there country lanes and paths across pastures get you a prized lunch pub in Pen y Cae and then back along the bridleways and lanes of the outward route to finish with a riverside loop through the Craig y Nos Country Park to its tea rooms.

Walk Options: Alternative Start , further north in Glyntawe (same bus), for a slightly longer and tougher walk (14.3 km/8.9 mi); or even longer, by exploring a variation of the morning route by climbing up to the Cribarth plateau from Craig y Nos first to pick up the route in Ynyswen (with or w/o the longer start from Glyntawe).
Lunch : Pen y Cae Inn Restaurant, Gallery & Zoo! (10.5 km/6.4 mi). This may be open again by then…
Tea: Changing Seasons Tea Rooms & Restaurant in Craig y Nos or The Gwyn Arms in Glyntawe. These may be open again by then…
For walk directions and options, route map, height profile, photos or gpx/kml files click here.
  • Thomas G
    Jul-20

    There will be some walkers with cars on the Brecon Trip, so there is a chance that lifts back to Brecon inbetween the rare buses can be arranged.

  • Thomas G
    Jul-20

    1 car driver left last night, another one did not walk so as to meet nearby relatives, so 10 with just 2 cars, ie some of us bused it to Craig-y-Nos. The group split into 4 for the tougher route via the Cribarth plateau and 6 doing the norm route.

    The zigzag path descent into the Country Park was closed due a fallen tree, but the diversion was short and obvious. We got to the Henrhyd waterfall just after noon and the other group arrived just b4 we were ready to depart, after much photo-taking.

    The Pen y Cae Inn had already closed for the afternoon and its mini-zoo is closed anyway just now due to Covid. Which left us about an hour at the end for tea and cakes and ice cream at the café in the Country Park, before the bus back to Brecon. Currently on the platform in Abergavenny, awaiting the 18.15 to Newport.

    sunny

  • Thomas G
    Jul-20

    One swam. In the plunge pool of the main waterfall.

Thomas G
Length: 13.4 km (8.3 mi) [longer options available]
Ascent/Descent: 270m; Net Walking Time: 4 hours
Toughness: 3 out of 10
Take the 10.55 bus (line T6) from Bus Stand 7 at Brecon Bus Interchange. Arrives Craig y Nos 11.37. The last return bus runs at 16.03 (arrives 16.41). Very slow walkers/long lunchers should take the earlier bus at 08.50.
The walk starts through the Craig y Nos Country Park, an idyllic spot on the banks of the Afon Tawe (River Tawe) with its Victorian Gothic building (now a hotel), which was home to the world-renowned opera singer Adelina Patti from 1878 to 1919. The route then follows quiet bridleways and country lanes with excellent views across the valley to the Cribarth mountain, to a steep cliff edge above the Tawe River which it then follows for an extended stretch, with the river running below in rapids.
You then leave the Tawe to walk up a spectacular wooded ravine, formed by the Nant Llech. The river’s name (‘Rock Slab Stream’ in English) derives from the rock strata that tilt or dip to create small waterfalls along its course, several of which can be observed from close quarters. The wooded gorge (owned and managed by the National Trust) is an Ancient Woodland, meaning many of the trees (especially on the southern bank) have never been felled. It is also a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) for its humid habitat, supporting a wide range of damp-loving species.
You ascend through the scenic gorge to a natural amphitheatre, carved out over millennia by the highest waterfall in South Wales, the Sgwd Henrhyd (Henrhyd Waterfall), which drops down a rocky ledge forming a water curtain you can walk behind. From there country lanes and paths across pastures get you a prized lunch pub in Pen y Cae and then back along the bridleways and lanes of the outward route to finish with a riverside loop through the Craig y Nos Country Park to its tea rooms.
Walk Options: Alternative Start , further north in Glyntawe (same bus), for a slightly longer and tougher walk (14.3 km/8.9 mi); or even longer, by exploring a variation of the morning route by climbing up to the Cribarth plateau from Craig y Nos first to pick up the route in Ynyswen (with or w/o the longer start from Glyntawe).
Lunch : Pen y Cae Inn Restaurant & Gallery (10.5 km/6.4 mi).
Tea: Changing Seasons Tea Rooms & Restaurant in Craig y Nos or the pubs in Glyntawe: Tafarn Y Garreg or The Gwyn Arms .
For walk directions and options, route map , height profile, photos or gpx/kml files click here .
Thomas G
Length: 13.4 km (8.3 mi) [longer walk options available]
Ascent/Descent: 270m; Net Walking Time: 4 hours
Toughness: 3/10
Meet at 10.00 in the south east corner of the Morrison’s car park in Brecon’s town centre, near the four-way road junction opposite the Bus Interchange (drivers: please bring your cars). The start of the walk is in Craig y Nos at the bus stop. This is on the A4067, south west of Brecon, Grid Reference SN 840 153. There is a car park a few met re s away at the Country Park.
In the case of more walkers than spaces, the ‘spare’ walkers will have to…
Take the 10.55 bus T6 (direction Abertawe/Swansea) to Craig y Nos , arrives 11.37. The last return bus runs at 16.03.
Very slow walkers/long lunchers should take the earlier bus in the morning at 08.55.
The walk starts through the Craig y Nos Country Park, an idyllic spot on the banks of the Afon Tawe (River Tawe) with its Victorian Gothic building (now a hotel), which was home to the world renowned opera singer Adelina Patti from 1878 to 1919. The route then follows quiet bridleways and country lanes with excellent views across the valley to the Cribarth mountain, to a steep cliff edge above the Tawe River which it then follows for an extended stretch, with the river running below in rapids.
You then leave the Tawe to walk up a spectacular wooded ravine, formed by the Nant Llech. The river’s name (‘Rock Slab Stream’ in English) derives from the rock strata that tilt or dip to create small waterfalls along its course, several of which can be observed from close quarters. The wooded gorge (owned and managed by the National Trust) is an Ancient Woodland, meaning many of the trees (especially on the southern bank) have never been felled. It is also a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) for its humid habitat, supporting a wide range of damp-loving species.
You ascend through the scenic gorge to a natural amphitheatre, carved out over millennia by the highest waterfall in South Wales, the Sgwd Henrhyd (Henrhyd Waterfall), which drops down a rocky ledge forming a water curtain you can walk behind.
From there country lanes and paths across pastures get you a prized lunch pub in Pen y Cae and then back along the bridleways and lanes of the outward route to finish with a riverside loop through the Craig y Nos Country Park to its tea rooms.
Walk Options: Alternative Start, further north in Glyntawe (same bus), for a slightly longer and tougher walk (14.3 km/8.9 mi); or even longer, by exploring a map led variation of the morning route by climbing up to the Cribarth plateau from Craig y Nos first to pick up the route in Ynyswen (with or w/o the longer start from Glyntawe).

Lunch : Pen y Cae Inn Restaurant & Gallery (10.5 km/6.4 mi).
Tea: Changing Seasons Tea Rooms & Restaurant in Craig y Nos, or the pubs in Glyntawe: Tafarn Y Garreg or The Gwyn Arms .

For all walk options, a summary, route map, height profile, photos, walk directions or gpx/kml files click here .
  • Anonymous
    May-17

    Many thanks to Karen G and Thomas for making the weekend in Brecon such a great success! Looking forward to seeing you all in a Scotland.

  • Stargazer
    May-17

    4 set off on the early bus with 2 planning on doing the main Craig y Nos Circular and the other 2 planning to meet 11 others at the Glyntawe bus stop to explore an alternative start and potential extension and 18 others convened at 10 for the main walk -- making for 33 in total doing various options of this lovely waterfall and wildflower walk in initially damp but then drying and ultimately sunny conditions . Additionally those on the early bus encountered a young man doing the SWC Welsh walks on bis own! In contrast to the walks on the prior days, this outing explored the lower top of Cribarth (for those on the extension) before wandering up an idyllic gorge with a hanging wild garlic garden and vast display of bluebells before arriving at Sgwd Henrhyd -- a stunning waterfall at the head of the gorge. The advance party enjoyed a picnic behind the falls before continuing on to the pub in Pen y Cae for a drink where most also paid a visit to some exotic critters in the pub's micro zoo. Most of the main group caugbt up with us there. We then carried on to finish the walk with some making a further tea stop at the Craig y Nos cafe -- following which we bade farewell to several heading back to London. A great ending for the bank holiday weekend!