Pont Melin Fach, near Glynneath

Welcome

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.

The car park is not open all year round - please see the information about opening times on this webpage.​

Keep safe in Waterfall Country 

Pont Melin Fach is in a popular part of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park known as Waterfall Country.

We want you to return home safely after your visit to Waterfall Country.

Serious accidents do happen to visitors here and there have been several fatalities in recent years.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

Please note:

• You are at risk of life-changing injuries or death if you decide to enter the water.
• Don’t be tempted to jump into a pool or wade into a river for a swim as the water is cold, deep and fast flowing with slippery rocks, strong currents and hidden hazards.
• Never take part in activities like gorge walking, canyoning or scrambling unless you are trained to do so or are under the supervision of a registered and licensed operator.
• Many of the accidents that the mountain rescue team are called out to help with are caused by slips, trips and falls - wear walking boots and take special care on slippery terrain and steps.
• Use extreme caution around water and keep on the waymarked paths as they offer you the safest route - going beyond the waymarked trails is highly hazardous.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Walking trail

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.

Elidir Trail

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 4¾ miles/7.7 kilometres
• Trail information: The ground is uneven in many places and wet, and there are some steep climbs and ascents. After reaching the village of Pontneddfechan the route back to the car park is along the same path. You can also start the trail at Pontneddfechan. 

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.

Exploring 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.

Go to the National Park's website for more places to visit in Waterfall Country.

Opening times

The Pont Melin Fach car park is closed from March to the end of September – the closure dates vary each year and will be posted at the top of this webpage.

There is a barrier at the car park entrance - please do not attempt to drive to the car park when it is closed.

When is the car park closed?

The closure dates vary each year and will be posted at the top of this webpage.

Why is the car park closed?

Pont Melin Fach is situated in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park which attracts a huge number of visitors.

The car park is reached along a narrow minor road with very few passing spaces, and it is too small to cope with the number of visitors who wish to use it.

We have therefore agreed with the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority to close the car park from March to the end of September every year.

How to find another car park

To find our other car parks in Waterfall Country and across Wales go to the map of places to visit.

To find other places to visit in Waterfall Country go to the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park website.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

We recommend you follow these directions or use the Google map below which has a pin on this place’s location.

Pont Melin Fach is 4 miles north east of Glynneath.

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 very few passing spaces) for 1 kilometre.

The Pont Melin Fach car park is on the left, immediately after crossing the stone bridge.

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SN 907 104 (Explorer Map OL 12).

The postcode is SA11 5US. Please note that this postcode covers a wide area and will not take you directly to the entrance.

View this place on the What3Words website.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Neath.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

The car park is not open all year round - please see the information about opening times on this webpage.​

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.