Waterfalls
Waterfall Country is a wild, fragile, and beautiful place, but it contains hidden danger.
Visiting Waterfall Country
Four rivers wind their way down deep, tree-lined gorges, over a series of dramatic waterfalls, before joining to form the River Neath. The ecology in the gorges is of international importance. This is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The famous Four Falls Trail visits four waterfalls.
What to Expect
Visiting Waterfalls Country is physically demanding. The waterfalls are all located at the bottom of deep gorges. Expect at least an hour and a half round trip to the nearest one and four hours to see the four falls trail
The main path goes along the top of the valley. To see each waterfall you need to climb down and then back up steps, which are steep, uneven, and often slippery.
This is quite demanding, particularly for people with mobility issues or carrying babies and children.
Recently, people have been hurt or lost their lives from falling and from drowning – please take care.
Parking
Its beauty attracts more than 300,000 visitors a year, most arrive by car. As you can imagine, this puts great pressure on the area, the fragile ecology and the local communities. Sometimes there is nowhere to park. If this happens, please find a different destination for now.
Please do not park on the narrow roads, in the local villages or on double yellow lines.
Official car parks
There are two official car parks in Waterfall Country, managed by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority – Cwm Porth and Gwaun Hepste.
Both accept card payments only.
At busy times these car parks fill quickly and early in the day.
To find them, please follow road signs rather than satnav which uses narrow lanes with no passing places
Cwm Porth Car Park
Cwm Porth is a small car park but has toilets and shop selling snacks, drinks and souvenirs (open daily).
Parking £6 per car as of Summer 2026
Not available for large vehicles which cannot access the parking site– ie motorhomes, coaches or caravans will block the busy, single lane roads.
Mini buses for guided outdoor pursuits should contact Cwm Porth for information on access.
Gwaun Hepste Car Park
Gwaun Hepste holds more vehicles than Cwm Porth, but has no toilets or shop. Parking £6 per car as of Summer 2026.
Not available for large vehicles which cannot access the parking site – ie motorhomes, coaches or caravans will block the busy, single lane roads.
Overflow car parks
If open, you may be directed to an overflow car park, these take only cash.
Overflow car parks are usually on private farms, in fields, they can open if the ground is not too wet.
Look after yourself
You are entering a wild landscape where unfortunately people have lost their lives.
Pictures on social media of people swimming and climbing around in waterfalls give a false impression that encourages others to dismiss the safety warnings.
Did you know that most of the waterfalls have a deep, cold plunge pool, often with a hidden shelf? The currents below the fall pull people into the pool the waterfall and hold them under.
Stick to the marked paths provided throughout the site – falling is a real danger.
Care for the environment
Stick to the marked paths.
Take your litter home, there are no rubbish bins along the trails.
Fires can be devastating to wildlife so don’t be tempted to light one.
Follow the Countryside Code – Protect, Respect, Enjoy
