Henrhyd Falls

Henrhyd Falls (Welsh: Sgwd Henrhyd) in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, is the tallest waterfall in southern Wales with a drop of 90 feet (27 m). It lies on National Trust land, in the traditional county of Brecknockshire (administered as part of the unitary authority of Powys). The nearest settlement to it is Coelbren, on the road between Glynneath and Abercraf. Though not in the core of the area, it is considered by many to constitute a part of Wales' celebrated Waterfall Country.[1]

Henrhyd Falls
Henrhyd Waterfall.
LocationBrecon Beacons National Park, Wales
Total height90 feet (27 m)
WatercourseNant Llech

Geology

The falls occur where the small river, the Nant Llech (grid reference SN854122) drops over the faulted edge of a hard sandstone known as the Farewell Rock which forms the top half of the rock face and which forms the base of the South Wales Coal Measures. Beneath this, and forming much of the recessed portion of the drop, is the Subcrenatum Sandstone separated from the Farewell Rock above by the Subcrenatum marine band. Both the marine band and sandstone are part of the Bishopston Mudstone Formation included within the Marros Group, the modern name in South Wales for the assemblage of strata that was traditionally known as the Millstone Grit series.[2] A stream gully between the descent path and the falls marks the line of the Henrhyd Fault which is responsible for the falls' presence.[3][4]

One of the area's most famous visitors was Sir William Edmond Logan (later head of the Geological Survey of Canada). In 1833 he carried out detailed geological survey work in the area, discovering a mile (1.5 km) down the valley from the foot of the falls the fossil trees which now stand in the garden at Swansea Museum.[5] They are 'Object 1' in their 'History of Swansea in 20 Objects'.[6]

Access
View of the falls showing the undercut rock behind the falls

The waterfall is reached after a steep walk down into the valley from the car park established by the National Trust, and is a popular spot to visit. A further footpath leads steeply down to the falls via the opposite side of the valley, accessed from Dol Henrhyd, the road that goes to Coelbren village.

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Henrhyd Falls.

References
  1. Ordnance Survey Explorer map OL12 'Brecon Beacons National Park: western area'
  2. George, Gareth. The Geology of South Wales: a field guide (second ed.). Bearsted, Kent: Geoserv publishing. p. 164. ISBN 9780955937125.
  3. "Cambrian Caving Council web mapping". Cambrian Caving Council. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  4. British Geological Survey 1:50,000 map sheet 231 'Merthyr Tydfil' & accompanying memoir
  5. George, Gareth. The Geology of South Wales: a field guide (second ed.). Bearsted, Kent: Geoserv publishing. p. 163. ISBN 9780955937125.
  6. Morgan, Karl (10 November 2021). "History of Swansea in 20 Objects". Swansea Museum. Retrieved 11 March 2023.

51.7943°N 3.6633°W / 51.7943; -3.6633

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