The Four Falls Trail Reactive Dog Hike, Brecon Beacons

The Four Waterfalls Walk near Ystradfellte, Powys, in South Wales, is a trail known for its scenic beauty and accessibility. This popular circular route winds through the breath-taking landscapes of Brecons National Park, showcasing four stunning waterfalls: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, and Sgwd yr Eira. While the trail is well-marked and mainly consists of gravel and dirt pathways, it's important to note that getting closer to the falls involves negotiating steep and sometimes slippery stairs. These stairs, though narrow and offering little passing space, provide stunning views of the waterfalls, but may not be suitable for reactive dogs due to the potential for encountering off-leash dogs, the confined space and lack of available passing places. Despite this, the trail remains a popular destination for both locals and visitors, offering a memorable journey through Wales' natural wonders.

When to Go

Even during off-season times like September on an overcast weekday, the Four Waterfalls Walk remained busy, so I dread to think what a peak-time looks like. Encountering around 20 dogs along the trail, some off-leash, posed a challenge, particularly for Mulder. Negotiating the stairs, waterfalls, and footpaths amidst popular times could understandably trigger reactions in a reactive dog. Despite the serene surroundings, the other dogs and the potentially precarious terrain can create a stressful environment for both pets and their owners.

How to Get There

When travelling to the Four Falls walk, it's essential to be prepared with cash for parking, as both car parks Cwm Porth (CF44 9JE) and Gwaun Hepste (CF44 9JB) operate on a cash-only basis, charging £5 for all-day parking.

Cwm Porth car park offers additional amenities, including spacious toilets and a small shop stocked with refreshments, snacks, and souvenirs. If you're feeling hungry after your hike, you'll also find a burger van conveniently located there. With plenty of benches available, it's the perfect spot to relax and savour your burger and drink after your three hour hike.

For visitors relying on public transportation, the nearest bus station, Min-Yr-Awel, is approximately a 60-minute walk from the Four Falls trail. However, during peak times from July 23rd to September 4th on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holiday Mondays, there is a free shuttle bus available. One shuttle operates between Glynneath to Gwaun Hepste, providing direct access to the Four Falls trail and the dog friendly village pub. It should be noted that there is no information available to say whether dogs are allowed on this shuttle bus.

Walk Statistics

Walk distance: 8.5Km

Time to complete: Between 2-4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation: 1,007ft

Terrain: Gravel pathways, staircases and rocks, can be very slippery, not wheelchair friendly 

Pub or Grub: The New Inn near Gwaum Heptse

With its length of 8.5 kilometres and the terrain's difficulty, it's no surprise that it takes an average of about 2 hours and 34 minutes to complete. However, this duration can vary depending on individual pace, rest breaks, and the presence of dogs or children. Despite its challenges, the stunning scenery and the opportunity to witness the majestic waterfalls make it a rewarding journey for those who undertake it.

Be Prepared:

• Wear the right footwear. The trails can be steep, muddy and slippery. Sturdy boots are advised with a good grippy sole.

• The water and rivers are cold, swimming is discouraged due to cold water shock and fatalities and serious injuries have been recorded.

• Mobile phone coverage is unreliable so make sure people know where you are if hiking alone.

• There are no bins, all rubbish (and dog poo) must be taken home with you and not left on the trail
  

Our Rating:

Scenery Score:

• Stunning waterfall and landscape views

• The pathways, while gravel, wind through luscious woodland

Accessibility Score:

• Pathways to and from the waterfall are slippery, some are made of loose rocks and some are stepped making wheelchair access poor

• While the main pathways are dirt/stone there are some steep inclines and declines

• The path may not only be challenging for wheelchair users, but dogs with chronic health conditions eg. arthritis may also struggle

Reactivity Rating:

• While dogs are supposed to be kept on the lead, many dogs were off-lead

• There are little to no places available to tuck away to allow dogs to pass by and stairways are narrow

• While we went off-peak and when the weather wasn't the nicest we still encountered lots of dogs and people

• The waterfalls were very loud, which might scare the more nervous dogs.

Amenities:

• Good sized toilets, albeit a little unkempt

• A burger van and souvenir shop is present at the Cwm Porth carpark- these burgers were delicious!

• A local dog friendly pub is located near the Gwaum Heptse carpark
  

Final Thoughts- Do we Recommend The Four Falls For Reactive Dogs?

While the Four Falls walk offers breath-taking scenery and convenient parking, it's important to note that it may not be suitable for reactive dogs. The narrow paths and the presence of off-leash dogs along the main trail (despite an all dogs on-lead rule) can create challenging situations for reactive pets. The waterfalls are loud, and there are lots of people on the paths so a more nervous dog may struggle to cope. Additionally, the trail is not easily accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs due to its terrain so a less-abled dog might struggle.

Despite these considerations, the walk itself is relatively easy, and amenities like toilets enhance the overall experience. The stunning scenery makes it a worthwhile journey for most visitors. However, if you have a reactive dog, it might be best to leave them at home to ensure a stress-free outing for both you and your pet. We do not recommend this walk for a reactive dog.

Thank you for reading!

Ella, Mulder and Scully