GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Llanwonno Waterfall Walk

4.04 miles (6.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk visits the waterfall near the hamlet of Llanwonno in St Gwynno Forest, in the heart of the South Wales Valleys.
The circular walk takes you to the tranquil Clydach Reservoir before heading to the Pistyll Goleu waterfall. It's a very peaceful area with the pleasant woodland trails and a secluded waterfall rarely visited.
You can start off from the forestry commission picnic area and car park just south of the falls. Then pick up the trails heading north to the reservoir before turning south to the waterfall. There's a riverside footpath here which you can follow east before returning along a quiet country lane.
To continue your exercise in the area head east to pick up the Taff Trail. The popular cycling and walking trail will take you along the River Taff around nearby Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil and Abercynon.

Postcode

CF37 3PH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Llanwonno OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Llanwonno Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Llanwonno

  • Barry Sidings - This popular country park is located in Trehafod near Pontypridd.
  • Taff Trail - Follow the River Taff, from Cardiff to Brecon, on this fantastic waterside cycling and walking route.
    You start on the River Taff in Cardiff and head along the river northwards passing the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Castle
  • Pontypridd - This town in Rhondda Cynon Taf has some nice walking trails along the River Taff and through the countryside of the Rhymney Valley.
  • Merthyr Tydfil - The town of Merthyr Tydfil is nicely positioned on the edge of the Brecon Beacons and next to the River Taff
  • Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk - Explore the beautiful river Rhymney Valley on this circular walk through the county borough of Caerphilly
  • Bute Park - Explore 130 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland in this beautiful park in Cardiff
  • Penarth - The town of Penarth is based on the South Wales coast in the Vale of Glamorgan near Cardiff
  • Dinas Powys - This village (also known as Dinas Powis) is located a few miles from Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan
  • Bute Park - Explore 130 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland in this beautiful park in Cardiff
  • Caerphilly Mountain - Enjoy a climb to the summit of Caerphilly Mountain and a walk across Caerphilly Common on this circular route in South Wales.
    You can park at the Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar car park on Mountain Road to start your walk
  • Rudry - This little village is located just east of Caerphilly in the beautiful Rhymney Valley

Pubs/Cafes

The Brynffynon Hotel is located in Llanwonno near the start of the walk. The pub includes a comfortable lounge/bar with sofas and wood-burning stove. Outside there's a nice patio garden with views of the forest and old churchyard. 
They have a car parking area and are also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

A few miles to the south there's Barry Sidings Country Park where there are some popular mountain bike trails and miles of woodland walking.

Photos

Clydach Reservoir in St Gwynno Forest (geograph 2531646)

Clydach Reservoir in St Gwynno Forest

St Gwynno Forest - geograph.org.uk - 1004692

St Gwynno Forest

Forestry Commission picnic site, at Llanwynno - geograph.org.uk - 1204202

Forestry Commission picnic site, at Llanwynno

St.Gwynnos Church, Llanwonno (geograph 5467162)

St.Gwynno's Church, Llanwonno. Welsh writer and broadcaster Gwyn Thomas immortalised Llanwonno in his 1968 autobiography A Few Selected Exits, in which he recounted how every Sunday he and his father would begin a journey from their home in Porth to visit family in Mountain Ash. They never completed their journey, the pub in Llanwonno being the only place that would serve Gwyn's father on a Sunday. When Gwyn Thomas died in 1981 his ashes were scattered in the churchyard.

Footbridge, dam and pool on the Nant Clydach - geograph.org.uk - 2531682

Footbridge, dam and pool on the Nant Clydach

The Brynffynon Pub, Llanwonno - geograph.org.uk - 638257

The Brynffynon Pub, Llanwonno

Pistyll Goleu. - geograph.org.uk - 1206664

Pistyll Goleu waterfall. 25 feet of fall at the confluence of Sychnant and Nant Clydach.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Llanwonno.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)