The Nant Sere Waterfalls are one of the best hidden gems in the Brecon Beacons. We set off to find them hoping to do some wild swimming, but with no expectations for the walk itself. I couldn’t believe it when the walk turned out to be one of my favourites in the area, with simply sensational views!
The swimming didn’t disappoint either, and it was incredible to take a dip while staring up at the jagged peak of nearby Cribyn.
Whether you’re looking for a new swimming spot, or simply a very scenic walk, this one is for you!
The Nant Sere Waterfalls Walk
The stats
Distance: 5 miles return (8km)
Elevation gain: 230m
Difficulty: Easy
The trail
There are a couple of different routes you can take to the Nant Sere Waterfalls, the one we took (as described below) is the easiest.
There is no tricky terrain whatsoever and whilst the start of the trail is uphill, it is relatively gradual. The route is not signposted, but we have step by step directions below.
The Nant Sere Waterfalls are situated in the northern valley between Pen Y Fan and Cribyn, so when walking from the Cwm Gwdi car park, the path to get there will take you around the ridge that heads down from Pen Y Fan and into the Nant Sere Valley.
Cwm Gwdi Car Park has two paths that lead into the park: one that heads south from the car park to Pen Y Fan and another across the road that heads east - which is the one you want to take.
Starting the trail
The trail heads from the car park, over the road, and straight into woodland on a dirt path. You’ll pass through a gate and then come to a small wooden bridge 75m later.
After crossing the bridge, the trail heads briefly uphill and then takes an immediate left (once you are in the small wood). This will take you out on to a fern lined path, 270m from the car park.
The next stretch of track is lined with thick bracken on both sides, which as a fern lover, was a real delight!
The route is obvious to follow for a while, crossing several tiny streams which were all dry on our visit. Roughly 700m into the walk you’ll reach the only signpost of the entire trail, which marks another route up to the top of Pen y Fan.
Instead you’ll go straight on, though you won’t see the waterfalls marked on the signpost.
Finding the right path
Up to this point the path has been flat and obvious, but for that one initial turn in the woods after the bridge. After you pass the signpost the trail pretty much disappears for a while.
You need to continue straight for approximately 150m beyond the signpost and then head right, up the grassy hill. It’s quite steep, but not muddy or slippery (when dry) and it’s only 150m before the gradient slackens.
You’ll still have a little more uphill to go, but it’s now more gentle. At the 1.1km mark you’ll see two potential routes, you need to head left between the two trees.
The trail continues uphill for another 400m and the slopes of Cribyn will come into view in the distance.
Into the wilds with epic views
The trail will now become obvious again, a narrow dirt track that winds its way around the side of a hill. From here, the Nant Sere Waterfalls are about 2km away, and the trail runs parallel to the river, but much higher up the slope.
The views are simply spectacular and they get better and better the further you walk into the valley. At first you can only see Cribyn, but it isn’t long before Pen y Fan also comes into view.
I couldn’t get over how absolutely beautiful this stretch of track was, and that we didn’t see another soul, despite walking on a gorgeous sunny day in July!
It really felt like it was just you and the incredible mountains and hills of the Brecon Beacons.
The path is almost entirely flat, so the walking is very easy, allowing you to fully soak up your surroundings. We didn’t encounter any mud at all on the trail, although we were walking during a particularly dry spell.
There are a few tiny sections of rocky terrain, but each one is just a couple of steps here and there.
This 2km stretch of track between when Cribyn first comes into view and arriving at the waterfalls is one of my favourite sections of any hike in the Brecons, and we’ve been lucky enough to walk quite a few!
Arriving at the waterfalls
The stream and waterfalls will come into view 3.5km into the trail, but you’ll hear them long before this. You’ll see the main waterfall first and you can continue for a further 150m or so beyond it, but the pools get much smaller.
There is no official path down to the waterfall and pools, but it’s a grassy area and although it is steep, it is fairly easy to descend.
It only takes a couple of minutes to cut down through the grass and arrive at the pool at the base of the falls (the cut down is to the right of the photo above and much less steep).
It’s a glorious spot. The waterfall itself is not huge, but it’s mossy and beautiful and the whole atmosphere is incredibly serene. It’s the sort of spot that feels like it’s straight from the pages of a novel, or maybe a children’s fairytale.
Swimming at Nant Sere Waterfalls
I say swimming, but the pool is quite small and shallow, so this is a dip more than a swim. It’s also a pretty fantastic spot to have a waterfall shower!
The pool is very easy to access. It is rocky underfoot, but it only takes a few steps to reach the slightly deeper water where you can sit and relax.
You’ll be able to enjoy the view of the very top of Cribyn from the main pool, but there’s actually a second pool just below the first which offers an even better view.
You can see more of Cribyn, but also a cascade with the bigger waterfall behind, which makes for a very atmospheric scene.
Accessing the second pool involves walking for less than a minute across a grassy slope and then there is a little cut down into the pool, which makes it easy to get in.
The water is a bit deeper in this one, not deep enough to swim, but you can submerge yourself a bit more. My favourite is still the first pool, but it’s very much worth trying both!
Once you’re ready to leave the falls you can just retrace your steps back the same way to the car park. Again, there are other routes, but going back the same way is the easiest option.
Parking for the Nant Sere Waterfalls walk
The walk begins at the Cwm Gwdi car park, which is free for National Trust members, or £3 for cars and £6 for campervans and minibuses. The fee is for the whole day.
It’s not a huge car park, but this isn’t a popular route up to Pen y Fan, so you shouldn’t have trouble parking unless you’re really unlucky.
Note that there are no facilities at the car park or along the trail.
The Cwm Gwdi car park is just over a 10 minute drive from Brecon, 35 minutes from Merthyr Tydfil and 45 minutes from Abergavenny.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
We sadly saw a lot of litter around certain popular spots in the Brecons and thankfully this wasn’t one of them. Let’s keep it that way.
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