Ystradfellte in the Brecon Beacons
Tour and Tourist Information Guide
Ystradfellte is a small village on the Afon Mellte in the Fforest Fawr area of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The village is a popular centre for tourists, many of whom walk in the hills or visit the waterfalls and caves of the river.
 Ystradfellte is very much a dispersed agricultural community, with the focal point being the small village with church, pub and Post Office. Unfortunately the pub is only open at weekends; the Post Office is open from 10.00 - 12.00 on weekdays. The village takes its name from the river Mellte which runs close by. The church of St Mary's although Medieval in origin is believed to have been completely rebuilt in the 16th century. The church and churchyard contain some interesting grave memorials.
Waterfall Area - Ystradfellte
At the southern end of the western Beacons the Ystradfellte area with its lush wooded valleys in a classic limestone landscape is a total contrast to the barren mountains to the north. It is incredibly popular for walkers as there are many walks that take in the picturesque waterfalls common in this area.
A mile south of Ystradfellte the River Mellte disappears into the mouth of Porth-yr-Ogof, White Horse Cave. This cave has the largest cave entrance in Wales - it is nearly 20 metres wide and 3 metres high. Porth yr Ogof car park is manned most days and there is a car park charge of £3 per day. The cave entrance can be accessed just a few minutes walk from the car park, but it is a steep climb down the worn and uneven limestone so it might not be suitable for everyone. There are 3 kilometres of explored cave passages and it is a popular location for experienced cavers. It is recommended that the caves are explored with an experienced local caving guide or is tackled as a group activity through one of the local outdoor centres.
 Caves: The area around Ystradfellte is renowned for its caves and karst scenery, making caving a popular activity.
Some of the more famous caves near the village include: Porth yr Ogof - the biggest cave entrance in Wales, through which the river Mellte flows, Little Neath River Cave and Ogof Ffynnon Ddu - the third-longest cave in the United Kingdom
Ogof Ffynnon Ddu Britain's third longest cave as well as being its deepest at 308 m deep. The trip from the top entranceto the bottom entrance is the deepest through trip in Britain at 228 m. The cave is formed on several levels with in general large breakdownpassages at the upper level and a  streamway at the bottom level which occasionally becomes a sump level. Passages connecting the levelsgenerally descend steeply and almost all are rift controlled. The cave is decorated throughout with many different styles of calcite decorations of which the most well known are the (2m high) columns. The cave has five entrances allowing for several through trips. Entry is controlled by the South Wales Caving Club and if there is a description for this cave, there's no way it could describe everything, it's far too complicated. There is a virtual guide through a few of the more popular routes.
  Waterfalls:
A popular attraction near the village is the Waterfalls Walk, a generally easy walk along the Afon Mellte.
The route passes two main falls on the river, Sgŵd Clun-gwyn and Sgŵd Isaf Clun-gwyn.
The climax of the walk is at Sgŵd yr Eira on the Afon Hepste where the footpath passes behind the waterfall.
The easier of the walks is the clearly signposted "Waterfall Walk" that takes you from the car park at Ystradfellte along the Afon Mellte. This leads you to two of the main falls, Sgŵd Clun-gwyn and Sgŵd Isaf Clun-gwyn passing Sgwd y Pannwr, a lower rocky fall, on the way. The walk's climax is the Sgwd Y Eira, Spout of Snow, that has a natural path behind the waterfall. For a different view of a waterfall you can walk along this path, but be careful as it can be slippy. Well worth the experience as you watch the curtain of water tumble over the rock above in front of you.
There are longer walks between Ystradfellte and Pontneddfechan that take in other falls such as Sgwd Gwladus, Lady Falls, on Afon Pyrddin and Horseshoe Falls and Sgwd Ddwli along the Afon Nedd Fechan. |
