Including the inconspicuous Cwm Dwfn Falls.
From Cardiff, take the A470 to the Llangurig roundabout. From Llangurig, take the second turnoff (right) at the roundabout, continuing on the A470. After 5 miles it reaches the Llanidloes roundabout. Take the first turnoff (left) to enter Llanidloes on the B4518. At the little roundabout, take the third exit (right), then just after crossing the bridge, turn left to continue on the B4518 towards Staylittle. Ignore the two roads that lead off on the left immediately after passing through Staylittle. Shortly after the next cluster of houses, take a road to the left, signposted to Machynlleth. The road climbs up onto a plateau, then drops off the other side. Park on the roadside near the Cae Eithaf farm - the first farm by the road since dropping off the plateau, on the right. SN 8267 9749.
Take the track that heads to the right (as seen from the road) in front of the farm. After 750 metres, take the track on the right when it splits, and follow it up the valley to a barn. The valley to the right has a waterfall with a cluster of trees above it, and a horsetail above that - if you want to see them, take the path up to the right just beyond the barn, and ascend the bank far enough above the first waterfall to see the horsetail. For the main waterfall, turn left at the barn and follow the remains of the track over a rotten bridge. (You may wish to check the water levels at this point, as you will be fording the river later.
On the other side of the bridge, a tree-lined fence climbs up the side of the valley between two fields ahead. Head for the top-right corner of the right-hand field, high above the river, to locate a track climbing up to the right. (In theory, the public right of way climbs up beside the winding left-hand fence to the top-left corner, exits the field there, rejoins it at the middle of the top edge, then finally leaves it again at the top-right corner, onto the track.) Leave the field onto the track at its top-right corner, climbing slowly on the track towards the Cwm Dwfn valley, to a sharp left corner, where the track heads directly up the slope. At the corner, you may wish to take a detour ahead along the valley instead, to get a better view of the Cwm Dwfn Falls, an obvious long horsetail waterfall in the valley.
Return to the track and follow it uphill as it turns into a path and becomes less obvious. As it ascends, the path passes the deep cleft of Craig y Gath on the left. At the top of Craig y Gath, it turns back into an obvious track that crosses the stream above the cleft, turns sharp left and is joined by another track to the right at a large sheep pen. Take the track passing through the sheep pen ahead, curving to the left to run above the far side of Craig y Gath. It then turns away from the cleft and descends over to the upper part of the next little valley. After crossing that valley, it enters forestry (which may have been felled) and reaches a forestry track. Take the track to the left, passing a grassy track to the right, and stay on the main track all the way down to the Rhoswydol farm. Continue down the track to reach a ford. Cross the river and follow the track heading downstream on the other side, which climbs up to join the track used earlier. Follow it ahead to return to the start of the walk.
| Waterfall | Grid reference | GPS coordinates | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cwm Dwfn Falls | SN 84593 96648 | 52.555397°N, 3.703672°W | |
Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this description, neither the author nor his fellow walkers can accept responsibility for loss or injury arising from any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in this description. This description is intended as a guide only, and you should select a route to suit your own abilities, at your own discretion. Ability requirements are a guide only. Route maps are approximated. You follow this description at your own risk.