Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn

(Lower fall of the white meadow)

Sgwd Isaf Clun GwynSgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn is one of the four waterfalls on the “four waterfalls walk” starting south of Ystradfellte in Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales (UK). 

In the summer of 2023 we finally decided to go to the UK, chasing waterfalls. The weeks before it rained much and the weather forecast wasn’t that good. But for the flowrate of the river it was very good. Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn was one of the first waterfalls we visited and it was quite powerful. Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn is the Welsh name and in English the waterfall is called/translated “lower fall of the white meadow”.

There are several car parks from where you can start and you even can start at Pontneddfechan (then you have to cross the river behind the waterfall Sgwd Yr Eira, if you dare). I was on my way from Pontneddfechan to  “Cwm Porth – Four Waterfalls Car Park (gps51.80001, -3.55541) when I saw a smaller (free) car park not far from the first waterfall. On Google map it is named “Comin Y Rhos (gps51.78336, -3.56908)”, the perfect place to start.

Trail: Four waterfalls walk Pontneddfechan - WalesThe “four waterfalls walk” is an easy walk but you have to take your time to enjoy, to make lots of pictures and to explore. The first waterfall you see (if you follow the main trail, there are signs) is Sgwd Clun Gwyn from the west side of the river Afon Hepste. You will reach a first viewpoint within 10 minutes and a second (from the other side) within 20 minutes. To see the other three waterfalls I had to follow the red trail because it looked like it that they closed the trail that runs directly (close to the river) to Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. I decided to go to the most impressive waterfall first, Sgwd yr Eira, and then take the green trail to the other two waterfalls.

I reached Sgwd yr Eira after exactly 1 hour and Sgwd y Pannwr after 1h45. Afterwards you only have to follow the river upstream for the last waterfall Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn. I reached this waterfall after 2h15. Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn is the tallest waterfall with a total drop of appr. 20 meter. Very beautiful and when I wanted to take some better pictures at the base I unfortunately I injured myself. According to the doctor my arm wasn’t broken but it looked nastier then it was. So be careful, it can be slippery at waterfalls!

The total (round) trip for the “four waterfalls walk” is more then 10 kilometer long and takes you along the other three waterfalls: Sgwd y Pannwr, Sgwd Clun-Gwyn and Sgwd yr Eira. With stops, taking a lot of pictures and a pause because I injured myself at a waterfall, it took me 3h15. Note: I also took an alternative trail (difficult) near the parking to base of Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. This is why I mentioned exploring earlier because few people know of this trail, but I saw a trail on my Gaia gps app…. and it a free app. The trailhead lies at a wooden bench, not that far from the parking (near gps 51.784381, -3.561700). The first part of the trail is easy, but from the platform/viewpoint, it gets more difficult. After 10-15 minutes I reached the base of Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn from the other side of the river.

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About Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn

CountryWaterfalls in United Kingdom
RegionWales
LocationYstradfellte-Pontneddfechan
RiverMellte
Height30m
Latitude51.783692
Longitude-3.561922
Best visitSpring, after rainfall
Rating

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