From Cardiff: The Amazing Waterfalls Of South Wales and The Brecon Beacons
No car? No worries. We can pick you up in Central Cardiff for this tour of the famous Brecon Beacons waterfalls!
Discover the very best waterfalls in South Wales on this expertly guided day tour from Cardiff, crafted by Wales Outdoors to showcase some of the region’s most spectacular and lesser-known natural attractions. This immersive experience combines scenic driving, gentle hiking, and local storytelling, perfect for visitors seeking an unforgettable day out in the Welsh countryside.
Travelling in a comfortable, eco-friendly electric minibus, you’ll explore a series of stunning waterfall locations with short, guided walks at each stop. The total walking distance is approximately 7km, on mainly well-maintained paths through beautiful woodland, river valleys, and mountainous landscapes. Please note that access to waterfalls involves walking up an incline or down a decline, there are steps in some places, although footpaths are generally good, we do go over some rough and broken areas so good footwear is essential.
Your adventure begins at the meet point at the National Museum Cardiff, where your experienced local guide will welcome you before heading out into the heart of South Wales.
Discover the landscapes and stories of South Wales on a full-day journey from Cardiff. Travel through the Rhondda Valleys, cross a dramatic mountain road and visit three very different waterfalls, with a relaxing lunch stop in the historic grounds of Craig-y-Nos.
The day combines Welsh industrial heritage, mountain scenery and peaceful woodland walks. It’s a chance to experience more than the well-known sights: hear about the communities shaped by coal, take in wide valley views and explore waterfalls tucked into wooded gorges.
Tour Itinerary
Rhondda Heritage Park
Begin with a short break at the Museum of Welsh Mining. There’s time to use the facilities, pick up a coffee if you wish at Cafi Bracchi and take a quick look at the exhibits introducing the Rhondda’s coal-mining history. This is a brief stop rather than a full museum visit.
Pen Pych Waterfall
Head into the upper Rhondda for a walk towards Pen Pych’s cascades and a taste of the area’s rugged, lesser-visited landscape. The walk and views make a striking contrast with the valley’s industrial heritage.
Rhigos Mountain Road
Continue over the Rhigos, one of the region’s memorable mountain drives. We will stop briefly at a view point to take in the sweeping views across the valleys to the peaks of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Melincourt Falls
Take a short woodland walk to Melincourt Falls, an impressive cascade dropping around 80 feet into a wooded gorge. The surrounding reserve combines oak woodland, streams and industrial-history traces; the nearby landscape also caught the eye of artist J. M. W. Turner.
Craig-y-Nos Country Park
We will pause for lunch at the park café, which serves light meals, cakes and locally roasted coffee. If time allows after your lunch, enjoy a gentle wander through the Victorian grounds, created for the celebrated opera singer Adelina Patti and now a historic park and garden. If you choose to bring a packed lunch, there are picnic benches or the nice gardens with a lake view to settle in for snacks.
Henrhyd Falls
Finish the waterfall visits at Henrhyd Falls, which plunges 90 feet into a wooded gorge and is the highest waterfall in South Wales. This waterfall has a Hollywood connection: The Dark Knight Rises was filmed here, with the falls appearing as the entrance to Batman’s lair. The walk here includes a steep descent and climbs back up to the car park, and paths can be wet, muddy and uneven.
Then relax on the journey back to Cardiff, with time to reflect on a day of waterfalls, mountain scenery and Welsh valley stories.
Know before you go:
This tour will take place rain or shine - make sure you have appropriate clothing.
Britain is generally known as a nation of dog lovers, you might meet owners walking on and off lead dogs in the countryside.
A reasonable level of fitness is required for all of our walks. As our walks are open to all, clients who are considerably slower than average may be asked at a suitable and safe point to head back to the vehicle. This is to ensure that those that have booked and are of average fitness will continue to enjoy the walk without risk.
Not suitable for:
Children under 10 years
Wheelchair users or people with limited mobility
People over 70 years
People with recent or persistent back, hip, knee, leg, ankle or foot injuries
What's included?
First Aid Kit
Mountain Leader Guide
Transport From Cardiff
Exclusions
Personal Hiking Kit
Food and Drink
Kit Hire
Kit Hire
We have, for hire, walking boots, trekking poles and waterproof backpacks here - https://www.walesoutdoors.co.uk/shop
Cancellation policy
Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final. You can purchase cancellation insurance for this product in the checkout.
We Hike...
The Four Falls Trail and 'Batman's Waterfall, Henrhyd Falls
Meeting Point
National Museum of Wales
Departure
9.00 AM
Reviews
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