water, water, all around

I’ve always been fascinated by photography.  And particularly taking pictures of my environment, be that on the coast or in the mountains.  I am so lucky to live where I do.   I can be in one or the other within 20 minutes or so.  It’s one of the reasons why I think I could never move far from here.

Shortly after getting a new camera back in (I think) 2011, I did what every other male does and bought a stack of magazines to sate my appetite for knowledge and ideas for pictures.  I found myself drawn to wonderful long exposure shots of waterfalls, with almost milky water giving dream like imagery.

I’d done stuff like this years ago, but with a film camera, meaning success was more than a little hit or miss.  But with new super-duper digital camera, filters and a tripod in hand I decided to set off in search of the many falls in what is known as Waterfall Country near my home.

Below are the fruits of my labours: pictures taken over about a 2-year period from 2012 to early 2014 and in the order I managed to get to each fall.  I’ve tried to provide a description of what it was like to get to the falls (some straightforward, some most definitely not!) as well as what it was like to be there very early in the morning with nothing but the local wildlife for company.

There are many other falls in the vicinity, but these are the major ones to my mind.  The ones that take a bit of an adventure to get to.

I hope you enjoy coming on the journey with me.

Oh.  One last thing before we go.  There are thousands of images of these falls on the web.  But these are mine and I worked incredibly hard to take them and process them for this blog.  Feel free to use them as you wish, but if you do please give a little credit to the photographer.

1.     Sgwd Henrhyd (Old Forge Falls) - River Nant Llech

Situated high up between the Swansea and Neath Valleys and probably the easiest of all the falls to get to, this waterfall though is the tallest in South Wales with a drop of almost 90 feet.  The sharp eyed among you may recognise it as it was used as the entrance to the bat cave in “Batman, The Dark Knight Rises”.

Sgwd Henrhyd

2.     Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf (Upper White Meadow Falls) - River Mellte

Another relatively easy fall to get to but no less spectacular for it.  It's the first fall on the Four Falls Trail - situated between the small villages of Port Need Fechan and Ystradfellte high up in the Neath Valley.  If you’re lucky you can see it in full spate after periods of exceptionally heavy rain.  I have seen it in all its glory, but was also lucky enough to visit here with my sister and spot wild mink roaming early in the morning.

Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf

3.     Sgwd Clun Gwyn Isaf (Lower White Meadow Falls) - River Mellte

Downstream from the above this is a spectacular series of 3 cascades.  Best viewed after really wet weather it can be quite treacherous to get to, with the short cut being a very narrow and slippery path high above the gorge.  This has to be one of my favourite places I’ve ever been to.  So much so that the video I took here is still one of my favourite things to look back on.  It’s quite remote meaning you can experience real solitude with only the sound of rushing water for company.

Sgwd Clun Gwyn Isaf

4.     Sgwd yr Pannwr (Fall of the Fuller) - River Mellte

Only about a further 5 minute walk downstream from the Clun Gwyn sits this relatively unspectacular fall.  But it's still a really peaceful place to relax at.  I’ve seen kayakers ride over the drop of this fall!

Sgwd yr Pannwr

5.     Sgwd Yr Eira (Snow Falls) - River Hepste

The furthest walk on the "Four Falls Trail" to get to - around an hour walk from the first fall at Clun Gwyn - but the one that everyone heads to. Probably the most famous of all the falls in the area, it’s a truly dramatic sight.  You can walk behind the curtain of this fall as well which is something quite spectacular.

Sgwd yr Eira

6.     Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls) - River Pyrddin

Situated lower down the Neath Valley near the village of Pont Nedd Fechan, this is a really picturesque waterfall, and a great reward for a half hour walk from the car park.

Sgwd Gwladys

7.     Sgwd Ddwli Isaf (Lower Gushing Falls) - River Neath

Further up the valley from Sgwd Gwladys, this is a series of cascades providing a spectacular sight.  It’s accessible over an elevated and therefore dry part of the river bed.

Sgwd Ddwli Isaf

8.     Sgwd Ddwli Uchaf (Upper Gushing Falls) - River Neath

Located upstream of Sgwd Ddwli Isaf, this is another utterly peaceful location.  It’s common to see dippers fishing in the river here which provides a lovely sight.

Sgwd Ddwli Uchaf

9.     Sgwd Einon Gam (Fall of the Crooked Anvil) - River Pyrddin

Without a doubt this is the hardest waterfall to reach.  And it’s no surprise therefore that it was the last one I ticked off.  Located about 40 minutes wild trekking above Sgwd Gwladys, it’s only really accessible after a period of dry weather as it involves around 5 river crossings.  But the trek is well worth it, with the thunderous sound of the fall evident long before it comes into view. It challenges Henrhyd Falls in its height, and frequently freezes in cold winter months.  Knowing you are probably the only person to see the falls that day is a really special feeling, making the wet walk well worth all the effort.

Sgwd Einon Gam

So, there you have it.  The 9 waterfalls I have been lucky enough to get to visit.  I’m so glad I was able to get to them and now to share them with you.  The pictures really cannot do justice to the atmosphere, sights and sounds experienced though.  Hearing the crashing falls before you can see them, in the knowledge you are probably the only person around for miles is a truly wonderful experience and one I would not trade for absolutely anything.

Anything at all.