Pontneddfechan - Scwd Einion Gam Waterfall

Ian Runcie

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Access to the waterfalls in the 'waterfall country' of the Brecon Beacons has already been well described on Walkingworld, except for the waterfall known as Sgwd Einion Gam ('the fall of the Crooked Anvil'). This is the most remote and rarely visited of the waterfalls and perhaps for that reason, many people's favorite.

The difficulty is that it is necessary to cross the river below the falls five times to get there (then back again). There are descriptions of having to wade through waist-deep water and if the river is high, it may turn the walk into a mountain challenge, but when I did the walk in early spring 2007 the water was rarely more than ankle-deep. Nothing got wet, not even socks, but it may be a sensible precaution to take a change of clothing and leave it somewhere above the Sgwd Gwladys Waterfall. The danger is not so much getting swept away, as it's usually a slow-flowing river, but slipping on mossy rock as you go over the stream could damage an arm or knee. Careful and firm planting of the boot without being too afraid to get wet will do the job.

However, there are also descriptions of white-water canoeing along here when the river is in flood and if it's this deep, stay well away. I have read a description of approaching the falls from the north and climbing down, but this is very steep and brambly and would be very uncomfortable; bramble-proof clothes and gloves would be needed.

There are a few old mines about.

Wales - South Wales - Brecon - Countryside