ON A cool overcast morning a group of nine walkers including leader Clive arrived at The Angel Inn Pontneddfechan and despite the fact there has not been much rainfall, meaning the waterfalls were only in half flood, with dry conditions underfoot and a good weather forecast the day showed promise. This area was renowned for its pure silica rock which was mined to produce heat resistant bricks to line the furnaces for the copper and iron smelting industries, and tramping along one of the old horse-drawn tram roads beside the river in the Nedd Fechan valley, some of the original stones complete with two pin holes which held the tramway plates are still visible.

Passing the Horseshoe fall along with the upper and lower falls of Sgwd Ddwli, after morning coffee at Pont Melin-fach, where the cloud dispersed and the sun came out, the route led them on a meandering path through bluebells woods above the Nedd Fechan to Pont Rhyd-y-cnau or Nutford Bridge. A steep climb up a rocky bridleway led on towards the road and glorious views of the surrounding countryside with the noticeable hump of Fan Nedd and the Brecon Beacons on the skyline to the north. A series of sunken tracks adorned with wild violets and blossoming blackthorn between fields containing sheep and lambs led them across the Nant y Carad brook to Cwm Porth car park above the Afon Mellte.

Prior to lunch, there was time for a steep descent to view Porth yr Ogof and this is the largest cave entrance in Wales where the riverbed of the Mellte is completely dry from Ystradfellte further up the valley, until it resurfaces at the Blue Pool just before the cave. It is popular with cavers because of its underground passageways but many deaths have taken place mostly in the resurgence pool which is used as an exit. Moving on past several cave entrances along well-used pathways above the Mellte and joining part of the Four Falls Trail, ahead of them lay Sgwd Clun-gwyn which thundered into the deep valley below.

Carefully negotiating the narrow rocky pathways below the cliff face of the gorge to descend steeply downhill through the trees, the stunning moss-covered fall of Sgwd y Pannwr was breath-taking as it fell onto the rocks below, to form a lower fall which plummeted into the valley bottom. After making the steep descent into the valley with its deep green-coloured pools, a wide path led on past Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn and in hot sunshine, another climb followed which led back up through the forest towards the final fall Sgwd yr Eira, where the Afon Hepste joins the Mellte. Crowds of people were taking advantage of the chance to walk behind the waterfall on an old slippery drover’s track and crossing below the fall, the group climbed up the steep rocky path and steps to the opposite side of the valley.

Following pretty paths through forestry containing old ruined farm cottages at Cilhepste-fach and cerig from where there were spectacular views through the Neath Valley, the path led on to Craig y Dinas or Dinas Rock, a huge lump of carboniferous limestone which derives its name from an Iron Age earthwork on its summit and which is used by rock climbers. A steep slippery descent over rocks worn smooth by countless feet, led them down into the valley and following a track before crossing the Mellte by means of a footbridge, it was only a short trek back to the start after an exhilarating adventure that combined 1237m of climbing with spectacular waterfalls, scenery and weather.

On May 10, meet 9.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for an eight-mile moderate/hard walk at Henllys; contact Rachel on 01446 410545.

On May 10, the group are hosting the Area Walks, where there will be a choice of three walks (five, eight and15-mile walks) in the lovely Vale of Glamorgan, all leaving Bonvilston Reading Room car park at 9.30am and for more details of the routes and contact details please visit the group website below.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.