Henrhyd Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons, now known as Bannau Brycheiniog, but also one of the easiest to reach with the car park just a stone’s throw away.
I recently visited for myself, and in this guide, I’ll share all the details you need to plan your own trip including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive. Plus, I’ll share plenty of interesting facts about Henrhyd Falls along the way.
What is Henrhyd Falls?
Henrhyd Falls is a waterfall located in Graig Llech Woods, this is found in a part of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park known as Waterfall Country due to its unusually high number of waterfalls in one area.
It is the tallest waterfall in South Wales, with a total drop of approximately 27m (90ft).
The waterfall is formed when the Nant Llech River plunges over a hard layer of sandstone rock into the Graig Llech gorge below.
Henrhyd Falls is one of the few waterfalls in Wales that you can actually walk behind, offering a unique opportunity to see the cascading water from a distinct vantage point.
Why is Henrhyd Falls Famous?
Henrhyd Falls is famous because it was used as a filming location in the 2012 Hollywood movie The Dark Knight Rises starring Christian Bale (a famous Welsh person himself) as Batman.
In the movie, Henrhyd Falls appears as the entrance to the Batcave. In the movie, you see the young detective John Blake discover the Batcave as he swings through the waterfall. Watch the scene here on YouTube.
Where to Park for Henrhyd Falls?
There is a reasonably sized car park near Henrhyd Falls which is free to use.
Here is where to find the car park:
- Post Code: SA10 9PG
- What3Words: baseline.helper.commuting
- Google Maps: See pin here
In the summer months when the main car park gets very busy, a local farmer opens an overspill car park charging £5 in cash. You can either pay the fee or wait for a space to become available in the main car park.
For the best chance of getting a space, try to visit early in the morning and on a weekday. The image of the car par shown above was taken around 10am on a Friday morning.
How To Visit Henrhyd Falls
From the car park, follow head through the two wooden swing gates and make your way down the path towards the waterfall. The track is well-signposted but can be steep at some points.
The surface is initially gravel but later becomes an uneven woodland path so you’ll have to navigate around rocks and tree roots. With this in mind, it’s not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.
You’ll make your way down the gorge and cross a wooden bridge at the bottom to reach the other side of the river.
Shortly after this, you'll arrive at the waterfall.
You can take images from the viewpoint or you can follow the rocky path around the side of the waterfall where you'll be able to stand behind it. If you do decide to walk behind it, take extra care as the rocks are very slippery.
It is only 400m (0.25 miles) from the car park to the waterfall. With a moderate level of fitness, the walk took me 8 minutes each way. In total, allow around 30 minutes to visit Henrhyd Falls.
When to visit Henrhyd Falls?
As with all waterfalls in Wales, the cascade itself is most impressive after heavy rainfall which is more likely in Autumn and Winter. However, this also means that the path down to the waterfall can be very muddy and the weather may not be great so you’ll have to balance these things.
Even during Spring and Summer, this waterfall is still impressive. All of the images you see in this article were taken during May in a relatively dry week.
What else is at Henrhyd Falls?
There are no visitor facilities at Henrhyd Falls so there is no toilet. However, during visitor times, there is a food truck selling chips, ice cream, cakes, and a range of hot and cold drinks.
Next to the car park, there’s also a super cute little farm you can visit and see the animals for free (obviously I would advise you to leave a cash donation if you can). They have alpacas, goats, chickens, and rabbits.
From Henrhyd Falls, you can follow the riverside path along the bank of the Nant Llech until it meets the River Tawe at Abercraf. Along the route, you’ll pass by some smaller waterfalls. This trail takes about an hour each way but there are several seats enroute where you can take a rest.
History of Henrhyd Falls
Henrhyd Falls was formed at the end of the last ice age when the ice melted and billions of gallons of water carved out the valley. Softer mudstone was swept away but leaving waterfalls like this where it met more durable sandstone.
At the top of the waterfall is a layer of sandstone known as Farewell Rock which sticks out allowing you to walk behind the waterfall. The name ‘Farewell Rock’ comes from the miners because when they hit this layer they say ‘farewell’ to any further chance of finding coal.
The gorge continues to be eroded to this day and occasionally reveals more fossils of Earth’s earliest trees. During the Victorian era, geologist William Logan used the fossils he found here to help map the South Wales coalfields, earning him a place as one of the century’s leading geologists.
Today, Henrhyd Falls is owned and managed by the National Trust. It is part of the Nant Llech Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Published: 31 May 2023