Henrhyd Falls and the Nant Llech valley

The walk starts from the National Trust car park for Henrhyd Falls, on the minor road out of Coelbren. A path drops through two gates to the Nant Llech, crosses the river on a wooden footbridge and climbs a steep flight of steps to the path to Henrhyd Falls. The falls are 27 m high, the highest in South Wales, and drop into the Graig Llech Gorge, a steep enclosed valley where moss and ferns grow thick. Back at the junction below the car park, the path goes on down the valley with the Nant Llech beside it, through woods of sessile oak and ash, over a boardwalk with a small waterfall to one side, and through a gate that marks the end of National Trust land. It crosses the site of an old landslide and comes to the old mill at Melin Llech (private, so keep out of the buildings) and the lane bridge beyond it, where this walk turns round.

It is 5.7 km there and back with 242 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy.

The paths are well made in places and rough woodland paths in others, wet and uneven, with steep drops at the side. Spray from the falls makes the ground slippery, and the steps by the footbridge are steep. Dogs are welcome on short leads.

The National Trust car park is free; please do not park on the residential street of Dol Henrhyd. By bus, the X8 Cymru Clipper runs from Neath to Coelbren, a mile along Dol Henrhyd Road from the car park, according to the National Trust.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.