Region: Talgarth and the Black Mountains, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Wales
This Pwll y Wrach waterfall walk from Talgarth is a 6.5-mile circular through the nature reserve and the quiet lanes around Rhos Fach. It gives you the waterfall, woodland, open views towards the Black Mountains and a finish in the centre of Talgarth, where we stopped for coffee and cake at Talgarth Mill.
You do not need to complete the full circuit to see the waterfall. I have separated the two choices below so anyone searching for a short visit to Pwll y Wrach does not accidentally commit to a 6.5-mile countryside walk.
| Distance | 6.5 miles / 10.5 km |
|---|---|
| Total ascent | 738 ft / 225 m |
| Walking time | Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Allow | 3 hours or longer if you explore the waterfall and stop in Talgarth |
| Route type | Circular |
| Direction | Anticlockwise |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Start and finish | Talgarth town car park |
| Parking | Town parking; check the current signs and tariff on arrival |
| Main surfaces | Town streets, quiet roads and lanes, plus uneven woodland paths at Pwll y Wrach |
| Navigation | GPX recommended for the full circuit |
| Route last walked | 2025 |
Choose the right Pwll y Wrach walk
| Option | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Full Talgarth circular | A half-day countryside walk | 6.5 miles, 738 ft of ascent, Pwll y Wrach, Rhos Fach and quiet lanes. Follow the GPX anticlockwise. |
| Short waterfall visit | Seeing Pwll y Wrach without the full circuit | Walk from Talgarth to the reserve and return the same way. The exact distance depends on the access path and how much of the reserve you explore. |
Wet-weather advice: the woodland path beside the water can be extremely slippery. If it is wet, use the reserve entrance farther up the lane rather than dropping through the first gate and following the water through the woods. Keep to the paths and do not enter the stream.
Parking, map and GPX
- Start and finish: Talgarth town car park
- Google Maps: Talgarth town car park
- Parking: check the signs, tariff and permitted stay when you arrive because local arrangements can change
- GPX: download the 6.5-mile circular GPX
- Outdooractive: view the full route
- Komoot: open the route on Komoot
- New to digital route files? Read my guide explaining what a GPX file is and how walkers use one.
The GPX supplied with this guide is the exact full route we followed. Its recorded length is 6.5 miles, beginning and ending in Talgarth.
Talgarth and Pwll y Wrach route overview
- Leave Talgarth town centre and pass Talgarth Mill.
- Walk towards Pwll y Wrach Nature Reserve and enter the woodland.
- Visit the waterfall, taking care on the uneven and slippery paths.
- Leave the reserve and continue anticlockwise on the lanes towards Rhos Fach.
- Follow the quiet road and lane circuit through open countryside.
- Return to Talgarth and finish near the Mill and town-centre facilities.
The full 6.5-mile Talgarth circular walk
Leaving Talgarth for Pwll y Wrach
The walk starts in Talgarth, a small market town at the foot of the Black Mountains. Starting here makes the day straightforward: you have parking and town facilities close by, while the route moves from streets to countryside very quickly.
You pass close to Talgarth Mill, a restored working watermill that makes an excellent stop before or after the walk when it is open. We saved it for the finish and had coffee and cake there.
Pwll y Wrach waterfall and nature reserve
Pwll y Wrach means “Pool of the Witch”, and the waterfall sits in a deep, shady woodland gorge on the River Ennig. You hear the water before you see it, particularly after rain when the falls are at their strongest.
The woodland is the most uneven part of the route. Paths around the waterfall can be muddy and include steps, so wear footwear with good grip and take your time. Keep to the recognised paths to protect the woodland and riverbanks.
The short Pwll y Wrach waterfall option
If you only want to visit the waterfall, walk from Talgarth to Pwll y Wrach and return rather than continuing around Rhos Fach. The waterfall can also be approached from the lane, so you do not have to use the lower woodland path beside the water.
In wet conditions, I would avoid entering through the first gate that drops into the woods and follows the stream. Continue farther up the lane and use the later reserve access instead. This still involves natural ground near the waterfall, but it avoids the slipperiest approach. The Wildlife Trust has an accessible gravel path within the reserve, but it does not continue all the way to the waterfall.
From the waterfall to Rhos Fach
For the full circuit, leave the reserve and continue anticlockwise. The walk opens out as you gain height on the quiet lanes, with views towards the Black Mountains and Y Grib. This part is steady rather than difficult and is much less technical than the woodland around the waterfall.
The route continues around Rhos Fach through open countryside. Most of the full circuit away from the reserve uses roads and lanes rather than rough field paths. Traffic is generally light, but these are still public roads, so stay aware and keep children and dogs close.
Returning to Talgarth
After Rhos Fach, the lanes gradually bring you back towards Talgarth. The navigation is not difficult when you have the GPX available, but there are enough junctions that I would not rely on memory alone.
Finishing in Talgarth is one of the route’s strengths. We went to Talgarth Mill for coffee and cake and had time to look around the restored watermill. Opening days and hours can change, so check the Mill’s own website before planning your walk around a café stop or tour.
Practical information
- Difficulty: easy to moderate. The distance is manageable for most regular walkers; the slippery waterfall paths require the most care.
- Footwear: grippy walking shoes in dry weather and boots when the woodland is wet or muddy.
- Children and beginners: suitable with normal care. Choose the short waterfall visit if 6.5 miles is too far.
- Dogs: dogs are suitable for the route, but the Wildlife Trust requires them to be kept on a lead throughout Pwll y Wrach Nature Reserve. Keep them controlled around livestock on Rhos Fach.
- Livestock: livestock may be present around Rhos Fach; none of the other road and lane sections caused us difficulty.
- Facilities: shops, cafés, pubs and toilets are available in Talgarth. Do not depend on facilities once you leave town.
- Talgarth Mill: a worthwhile finish when open. Check current opening information before travelling.
- Best conditions: the waterfall is more powerful after rain, but the woodland paths are also considerably more slippery.
- Nature reserve: keep to the paths, leave the stream undisturbed and follow current notices at the reserve.
Watch the route in 3D
This 3D route video shows the shape and direction of the complete Talgarth, Pwll y Wrach and Rhos Fach circuit before you set out.
Pwll y Wrach and Talgarth walk FAQs
How long is the Pwll y Wrach circular walk?
Can I do a short walk to Pwll y Wrach waterfall?
Where do I park for Pwll y Wrach?
Is Pwll y Wrach waterfall free to visit?
Is the Pwll y Wrach path muddy?
Is the waterfall accessible without using the streamside woodland path?
Can I take a dog to Pwll y Wrach?
Is the Talgarth circular suitable for children and beginners?
Which direction should I walk the route?
Are there cafés and toilets on the route?
Route information reflects my walk in 2025 and the GPX supplied with this guide. Rights of way, weather, temporary closures and local arrangements can change, so follow current signs and turn back if conditions are unsafe.