Four Waterfalls Walk in the Brecon Beacons | Detailed guide with video blog
The Four Falls Trail is an absolute gem of a walk and one of the true highlights of Waterfall Country in the Brecon Beacons.
This 7km circular route winds its way through ancient woodland, taking you past four spectacular waterfalls – including the iconic Sgwd yr Eira, where you can actually walk behind the curtain of water. Along the way you’ll also discover several smaller cascades and hidden spots that make this hike feel truly magical.
In this guide, I’ll outline the Four Falls Trail route, share an alternative starting point, and even suggest a more adventurous return route that rewards you with incredible views over the mighty Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn.
Key Information
Hike distance: 7.5km
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Hike duration: 2-4 hours
Elevation gain: 235m
Car park and start point: Comin Y Rhos
What Three Words: staked.anyway.intention
Things to note before tackling this walk
Timing: The Four Falls hike usually takes between 2–4 hours, but it’s worth allowing extra time to stop, explore, and enjoy each waterfall.
Facilities: The only toilets and amenities are at the Waterfall Centre in Pontneddfechan. Bring plenty of water and some snacks, as there are no facilities once you’re on the trail.
Best Time to Visit: This walk is at its best after a spell of heavy rain or during the quieter shoulder seasons (spring and autumn). The waterfalls will be in full flow, and you’ll avoid the biggest crowds.
Trail Conditions: While not especially technical, the paths can get muddy and slippery, especially near the cascades. Sturdy, grippy footwear is strongly recommended.
Wild Swimming: Alongside the four main waterfalls, you’ll come across plunge pools and smaller cascades, perfect for a (chilly!) dip. If you’re tempted, pack your swimwear and a towel and embrace the cold water. However make sure it is safe to do so and dont get into fast flowing water.
Where to Park
The best place to start this hike is from a small free car park located to the west of the falls (What Three Words: staked.anyway.intention),. This spot is a handy alternative to the larger paid car parks at Cwm Porth or Gwaun Hepste.
Not only is parking here free, but it also saves you around two miles of unnecessary woodland walking and puts you within a five-minute drive of the Elidir Trail start point at the Waterfall Centre in Pontneddfechan.
That said, be warned: the car park is tiny (fewer than 8 spaces) and tends to fill up quickly. Aim to arrive either early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid disappointment. Occasionally, an overflow car park is opened nearby, but if it’s closed you’ll need to head about 400m back down the hill until the road widens, where it’s possible to park safely at the roadside.
The Four Falls Route
From the small car park, head down the concrete track. After passing a large information board with a map of the area, look out for a metal swing gate on your right. Go through it, follow the gravel path, and continue through a second swing gate before descending into the forest.
After about 400m, you’ll catch sight of the first waterfall, Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, down to your right-hand side. At this point, you’ll find yourself on the opposite side of the river compared to most walkers following the official Four Waterfalls Trail, which might raise a few puzzled looks!
To reach the main viewing point, simply continue upstream for around 200m until you come to a small wooden footbridge. Cross over, turn right, and follow the trail back on yourself. Soon you’ll rejoin the official path at marker #15 (shown on the map).
Waterfall 1 - Sgwd Clun-Gwyn
The name Sgwd Clun-Gwyn translates to “The Upper Fall of the Wide Meadow”, and here the river plunges around 40ft over two ledges. For adventurous walkers, it’s possible to scramble down the side to view the falls from below – a tougher route, but well worth it for a closer perspective.
From Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, retrace your steps up the rocky hill to marker #16, then follow the red-dotted trail that runs along the ridge of the valley towards marker #17.
Keep following the red arrows, ignoring the trail that branches steeply downhill at marker #25. After about 1.4km, you’ll reach marker #35 and a signpost pointing the way to Sgwd yr Eira. From here, brace yourself for a steep 100m descent via around 170 very steep steps that wind down into the gorge towards the waterfall.
The view from below the falls
The view of the waterfall from Marker #15
Waterfall 2: Sgwd yr Eira
Sgwd yr Eira, meaning “Waterfall of Snow”, is without doubt the most impressive of the four waterfalls on this trail. This broad 30ft cascade often resembles a shimmering curtain of water, especially after heavy rain.
What makes it truly special is the path that runs directly behind the waterfall, a rare and magical experience. Be warned though: if the river is in full flow, you’re guaranteed to get soaked. A decent waterproof jacket and grippy shoes are highly recommended (unless, of course, you fancy getting wetter than a haddock’s bathing costume).
Once you’ve enjoyed the falls, climb back up the 170 steep steps. Thankfully, there are benches at the top, which I can only assume were installed for hikers recovering from minor cardiac episodes. After a breather, retrace your steps along the main path towards the first waterfall.
At marker #25, turn left and follow the trail descending into the valley. Keep to the green waymarkers, and before long you’ll arrive at the third waterfall, around marker #30.
Waterfall 3 - Sgwd y Pannwr
Sgwd y Pannwr, meaning “Fall of the Woollen Washer”, is a broad, cascading 15m waterfall. While it’s often considered the least dramatic of the four, it’s still a beautiful sight and well worth the stop.
From the trail, you’ll first see the falls from above, but it’s possible to climb carefully down a small gorge to appreciate them from below. The wider perspective gives you a real sense of the power and spread of the water.
When you’re ready to continue, follow the river upstream for a couple of hundred yards. The trail leads across wooden boardwalks and a short rocky section, before bringing you to the fourth and final waterfall of the walk.
Waterfall 4 - Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn
Saving the best for last, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, translated as “The Lower Fall of the White Meadow”, is my personal favourite on the trail. Rather than a single drop, it’s actually a series of waterfalls, separated by rocky ledges and deep pools. On warmer days, these pools make for a fantastic (if chilly!) wild swim.
At first, you’ll only see the lower cascades from the main path. But for a better view, scramble carefully up the bank to the right of the river, using the tree roots as handholds. From here, you’ll find a wonderful viewpoint over the upper section; a wide curtain of water spilling gracefully into the gorge below.
The lower section. On the far right of the image is the bank you have to scramble up to reach the upper falls
The upper section of Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn.
How to get back to your car
To complete the loop, continue scrambling up the right-hand side of Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn (around marker #32). Before long you’ll spot a narrow path branching left, running along the valley’s cliff face. This track follows the eastern bank of the river, leading you back upstream towards the first waterfall at marker #15.
Although this section is no longer officially signposted, it’s still straightforward to follow thanks to a clear, well-trodden trail. The initial stretch is slightly exposed, so take care, but the path itself is wide and level enough that you won’t need to walk close to the edge.
At one point you may pass a sign warning that the route is unsafe and advising you to turn back. In reality, the path is absolutely fine – just stick to it and you’ll soon rejoin the official trail. From here, simply cross back over the wooden footbridge and retrace your steps to return to the car park.
Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn from a different perspective
As mentioned earlier, there’s a brilliant alternative viewpoint on the western side of the riverbank.
On your way back towards the car park, look for two wooden pillars along the gravel path. From here, follow the grassy track for about 100m until you reach a wooden fence perched on a clifftop overlooking the waterfalls.
Bear left and carefully scramble down the narrow, goat-like trail to reach the top of Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. From here, you’ve got two options: you can either continue scrambling down to the base of the falls, or wander through the woods to reach a spot that gives you a direct view of the cascade from the opposite bank.
When you’re done exploring, simply retrace your steps back to the main path and continue on to the car park. If any of this sounds confusing, don’t worry, I’ve also created a vlog that outlines the full route visually.
A birds-eye view of the route
Final Thoughts
So there we have it – a complete hike guide to the Four Falls Trail. This circular route through Waterfall Country is a perfect mix of ancient woodland, hidden plunge pools, and dramatic cascades, with the unforgettable Sgwd yr Eira as its star attraction.
The trail offers something for everyone: adventurous scrambles, peaceful picnic spots, wild swimming opportunities, and of course four spectacular waterfalls to enjoy along the way. It’s a walk that perfectly captures the magic of the Brecon Beacons.
If you’re looking to extend your adventure, you can actually combine the Four Falls Trail with the Elidir Trail to create what is arguably the best waterfall walk in the Brecon Beacons. You can find that full guide linked just below.
Whether you’re here for a short woodland stroll or a full day chasing waterfalls, the Four Falls Trail is one you’ll want to add straight to your Brecon Beacons hiking list.So there we have it, a hike guide to the Four Falls trail. You can actually combine this hike with the Elidir Trail to create arguably the best waterfall walk in the Brecon Beacons you can find that guide below.
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For more hiking inspiration check out my other guides to the Brecon Beacons below.
Central Brecon Beacons
Western Brecon Beacons
Waterfall Country
Eastern Brecon Beacons
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.
