Beacon View, near Monmouth
Walk through heathland and woodland
The car park will be closed from 22 March 2022 until 1 October 2022.
Pont Melin Fach is a small car park and picnic area in a picturesque location next to an old stone bridge.
The walking trail from here goes past four waterfalls and is an ideal introduction to Waterfall Country.
The shady, moist landscape is rich with mosses, liverworts, and lichens that depend on the high humidity offered by the woodlands and waterfalls.
Please note: this small car park is reached via a narrow road and it is not open all year round.
The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.
Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.
Find out about walking trail grades.
The Elidir Trail heads downstream from the car park following Afon Nedd Fechan river.
The first waterfall (Sgwd Ddwli Uchaf) is about 15 minutes down the trail.
There is an optional short detour to see the impressive Sgwd Gwladus waterfall. You can turn around there or continue down to Pontneddfechan.
Beyond Sgwd Gwladus, the path is relatively level as it follows in the tracks of a horsedrawn tramroad once used by drams (trams) to carry silica rock down to the brickworks beside the Neath Canal. Today you can still see some of the entrances to the mines.
Pont Melin Fach is in a popular part of the Brecon Beacons National Park known as Waterfall Country.
Nowhere else in Wales is there such a richness and diversity of waterfalls within such a small area as Waterfall Country. Here the rivers Mellte, Hepste, Pyrddin, Nedd Fechan and Sychryd wind their way down deep, tree-lined gorges, over a series of dramatic waterfalls, before joining to form the River Neath.
Whether you are looking for a whole day adventure or an hour’s stroll you should be able to find a route suitable for you.
Waterfall Country lies largely within woodland jointly managed by Natural Resources Wales and the National Park Authority. Together we manage the paths and help you explore and enjoy this unique area.
To find other places to visit in Waterfall Country go to the Brecon Beacons National Park website.
Pont Melin Fach is four miles north east of Glynneath.
Waterfall Country woodlands straddle the county borders of Powys, Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Pont Melin Fach is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map OL 12.
The OS grid reference is SN 908 105.
Take the B4242 from Glynneath to Pontneddfechan.
Turn left towards Ystradfellte and follow this road for two kilometres.
Turn left onto a no through road (signed as unsuitable for coaches).
Follow this narrow road (which has limited passing spaces) for one kilometre.
The Pont Melin Fach car park is on the left, immediately after crossing the stone bridge.
Car parking is free of charge.
The car park is small and can get full.
The car park is not open all year round.
The nearest mainline railway station is in Neath.
For details of public transport visit Traveline Cymru's website.