Sychryd Waterfall and Gorge Walk | Brecon Beacons National park
Hidden away in the Sychryd gorge is a small secluded set of falls traversed by a wooden footbridge.
This isn’t the biggest or most impressive set of falls in Brecon Beacon waterfall country but its secluded nature, fairytale-esq surroundings, and lack of other visitors make it a perfect waterfall to visit if you’re looking to escape the crowds.
Within this hike guide I outline the quickest and easiest way to reach Sychrhyd fall alongside providing an alternative way to get back to your car. If you dont like reading you can check out my vlog below
Where to Park for Sychryd Falls
Free parking for this walk is available at Dinas Rock car park where here is enough space for around 20 cars.
To reach the car park drive past the waterfall centre in Pontneddfechan before bearing right before the road head up a steep hill.
After driving through a housing estate the road will lead over a narrow stone bridge and the car park will be on on your left.
How to reach Sychryd Falls
Follow the path that runs between the car park and the River Hepste up past Dinas Rock.
The path will initially rise steeply and will be quite rocky underfoot, however there’s a metal hand rail which will prove useful for the less surefooted amongst you
The route from the car park past dinas rock
Continue to follow the path for a few hundred yards until you reach a fork, head right following the signs for Penderyn. After 50m the path will fork again, stick right and follow the path as it drops down some steps towards the river.
After around 100m the bridge and waterfalls should come into view.
the climb up past Dinas rock
The fork in the path
Sychryd Falls
After descending the steps you will be greeted by Sychryd falls, a three tiered waterfall which flows beneath a wooden footbridge into a emerald plunge pool named Pwll y Berw.
You have a couple of options for viewing and photographing the waterfall
You are able to climb down into the gorge and view the waterfall from below. The route down is marked by a short metal handrail which hardly helps when descending the slippery polished rocks.
Sychrhyd Gorge and waterfall
If you do want to get a shot of all three cascades alongside the bridge, you will have to do a bit of gorge scrambling downstream to get a better vantage point.
A drone view from lower down in Sychrhyd Gorge
You can also view the fall from the wooden footbridge which traverses the upper section of the river. This footbridge was built to connect the two sections of the Dina Silica mines .
Opposite the bridge is an old mining tunnel which extends approximately 450 feet into the cliff face.
the entrance to tunnel on the other side of the bridge
Dinas Silica Mines
Located on the side of northern side of the the river is a loosely fenced off section of the Dinas Silica mine.
Abandoned in 1964, the material sourced from these mines was used to produce industrial-strength brickwork that was turned into furnace linings for the copper, iron, and steel industries.
Although the mines surrounded by danger signs to warn off visitors , I would recommend taking the time to poke your head around the entrance as they provide a humbling reminder of Wales industrial heritage. and what working conditions used to be like.
You will be able to feel the bone chilling temperature drop by just stepping in front of the entrance. armed with a head torch and camera torch I only ventured around 50m into the main chamber and that was enough to send the chills down my spine.
As large sections of the mine are either flooded or unstable, I wouldn’t recommend straying too far from the entrance unless you have the correct equipment and knowledge of the cave system.
Inside of Dinas silica mine
Exploring the rest of the gorge
If you continue to head down stream you will eventually pass under a colourful, overhanging limestone cliff face.
This section of the river is very popular with climbers and is actually home to the hardest bouldering problem in Wales, which is apparently rated 8B+.
After passing this overhanging cliff face you will be met by a green metal gate which will mark the end of the path.
Returning to the car park
From the green gate you have two options.
For the less competent and surefooted amongst you, you will have to retrace your steps back upstream to Sychryd waterfall and back to your car via the initial route you came.
For the more adventurous and confident amongst you, there is a route which down the rockfall which runs alongside the cascade. which should only be tackled if the water level is low enough.
Once you have navigated the cascade simply follow the path back down stream for a half a kilometre to the car park.
Climbing down the side of Sychryd cascades
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For more information on waterfall county in the Brecon Beacons, check out my detailed blog post below
You can find more Welsh hiking inspiration in the following blogs
For more travel, & photography inspiration around Wales check out my in-depth guides to each of my favourite regions below.