UK hiking trails have become increasingly popular over the years as Brits turn to more holidays that actively engage in walking and hiking. In fact, an impressive 23% of Brits say they enjoy hiking, according to a study by Mintel, with these numbers rising each year. Whether an avid hiker or simply interested in taking part, there’s one must-see spot that covers an area of a whopping 520 square miles and is named “Waterfall Country”.
Here, you’ll find several walking trails meandering through this stunning region, with a good measure of majestic waterfalls to marvel at, too. Found tucked away on the south-westerly edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, you’ll find one truly wondrous trail that’s even been labelled as having the “UK’s best waterfall walk”.
Founded in 1957, the Brecon Beacons National Park is visited by roughly 4 million people each year and is the third and most recently designated national park in Wales, after Snowdonia (Eryri) and the Pembrokeshire Coast.
So much so, the region has become a popular spot among visitors and tourists, putting the border between Mid Wales and South Wales firmly on the map for being an outdoor enthusiast’s playground.
One such enthusiast is popular social media adventurer, Sam Culley, who is no stranger to exploring some of the UK’s most magical and lesser-known spots.
Boasting 231 000 followers on TikTok and garnering an impressive 3.5 million likes from his adventure channel, Culley declared the Welsh National Park home to “the best waterfall walk in the UK.”
That’s because Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park is home to a total of three rivers, namely the Hepste, Mellte and Nedd-fechan which have over time carved their way through soft rocks in the park.
This natural carving has created “steep wooded gorges full of caves and some of the most dramatic waterfalls” you’ll find anywhere in the UK, states Visit Wales.
Each waterfall here boasts of its own unique charm and beauty which is found along a trail through the region’s peaceful forest with the sounds of bubbling indicating you’re near.
Among Brecon Beacons’s many natural delights found, the Four Falls Trail is said to be the park’s shining star and is the most well-known spot.
A firm-favourite among all explorers, the circular trail takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to complete and is around 5.2 miles (8.5 km) long.
AllTrails, a popular outdoor platform that was Apple’s iPhone App of the Year 2023, echoed the praises and described the Four Falls Trail as having “stunning views that’s a reward” with easy “access to the four waterfalls”.
The surrounding area in the park also offers 2000 miles of public footpaths which range from either gentle slopes or more challenging highland paths passing through the region’s four waterfalls: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr and Sgwd yr Eira.
It also includes the UNESCO Global Geopark known as Fforest Fawr and is home to four mountain ranges: Fforest Fawr, the Black Mountains, the Central Beacons and the Black Mountain(Mynydd Du).
