Walk 06/2009 – Brecon

Saturday 28th February 2009

This weekend was based at the Brecon Youth Hostel which was reasonable in comfort terms and, as is usual for hostels these days, the food was good English grub using local produce.

The Waterfall Walk

The slow group

The fast group quickly disappeared from our view as we followed the river Avon Mellte, near Ystradfellte – simply known as Waterfall Country by the locals. The head waters of the rivers Nedd, Mellte, Pyrddin and Hepste drain the old red sandstone mountain ranges of the Fan’s in the north and travel south through the deep V shaped wooded valleys. This area was officially designated as a site of special scientific interest in 1957. It contains over 200 species of mosses, liverworts and ferns. [Ed – Ooh, we have been doing our homework!]

At one point, we slightly went off piste and had to negotiate the side of a cliff, grabbing overhanging branches to steady ourselves.

We then came across the first of the beautiful waterfalls, Sgwd Clun–gwyn – a good photo opportunity.

At the next falls we noticed a group of people wearing red lifejackets and blue crash helmets. No, they were not our fast group but we thought they may have been part of a ‘stag’ weekend. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, jumping over the falls and encouraging their chums to do the same. One poor chap decided it was not for him and sheepishly re–joined his party, declining to join in the fun by jumping into the freezing, rocky waters.

After a coffee stop we continued our journey and had the first sighting of Sgwd yr Eira. This curtain waterfall has been formed where the Afon Hepste river leaps over a 50 foot cliff between high banks. Its unusual feature is that a narrow path runs under the watery curtain, therefore making it possible to walk behind the falls. The track was once used by sheep farmers. ‘Eira’ means snow, an allusion you will easily understand when you see the falls in full white flow. Our cameras snapped away to capture this wonderful sight.

We then headed across a wooded area and found a sheltered spot for lunch. The final part of the walk took us across a marshy area which proved quite challenging to cross. It’s always a good idea to keep in your ruck sack a spare pair of socks and towel, when crossing this type of terrain!

We then came across familiar ground as we completed our 7.6 mile walk.

This walk has become a club favourite and those first–timers could quite understand why.

Report – Claire

The fast group

The faster group of 6 followed a 9.1 mile route, covering the same ground as the other group for the first half of the walk.

This beautiful walk follows a footpath through the woods past a series of waterfalls and is both spectacular and tranquil. The path through the woods was at times slippery with some fairly difficult sections over rocky terrain. Owen lost his footing on rocks next to the river whilst finding a vantage point to take a photo of the second waterfall and narrowly missed getting his legs very wet. A quick reaction from Angela who shot out an arm, giving him something to brace on prevented an early dip.[Ed – the slow group did see a pair of Dippers as it happens] Some banter followed about saving his life but joking apart this was a walk which required concentration and care as some of the slippy paths are above very steep drops into the river or onto rocks.

Our group had our coffee break sat by the spectacular and exciting Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall where it is possible to walk behind a huge sheet of water as it plunges over a cliff edge, an experience not to be missed.

On arrival in the village of Pontneddfehen we walked past The Dinas Inn and noticed they had a decking area with seating outside. We decided to enquire if they would allow us to sit there and eat our packed lunches if we bought drinks from the pub. The answer was yes so we settled down in comfort with a beer and the company of two friendly pub cats who begged for the ham from the sandwiches!

Leaving the village we joined the woods and the river again and here we picked up pace covering a mile very quickly on a flat level path beside the river. This section had yet more waterfalls, less spectacular than the previous but instead this was a very pretty and more peaceful section of the walk with the water tumbling into tranquil pools surrounded by wooded amphitheatres.

Report – Angela

The purse incident has not been forgotten. The editorial panel are still considering this item. Watch this space!

Pictures – Alan and Angela

Walk rating – Excellent

Brecon Youth Hostel.

The field opposite the hostel had some spring lambs.

The Afon Mellte.

The first waterfall – Sgwd Clun–gwyn.

Waterfall two – Sgwd Isaf Clun–gwyn.

There were some tricky bits of the path to negotiate.

These guys were on a stag weekend.

Number three – Sgwd y Pannwr.

Number four – or was this Sgwd y Pannwr?

Number four again.

La pièce de résistance – Sgwd yr Eira.

Michelle decised to conduct an opera – Handel’s water music perhaps.

Care was needed emerging from uner the waterfall.

On the way back we find some bog.

An interesting view from Angela from underneath the waterfall.

Walking Club develops a new technique for ensuring peace and tranquility on walks.

Didn’t anybody remember to bring their glasses?

One of the waterfalls the slow group didn’t see.