One of the Seven Wonders of Wales! (Pistyll Rhaeadr)

Member Name: markos9

Product:	Pistyll Rhaeadr
Date:	30/06/09 (133 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gorgeous scenery, spectacular waterfall.

Disadvantages: Paths are steep and slippery. No barriers to prevent falling.

Pistyll Rhaeadr is the highest waterfall in Wales. With a drop of 260 feet, it is actually higher than Niagara Falls in North America (although the volume of water passing over is a lot less than Niagara, of course!). The waterfall is also the highest single drop waterfall in the whole of the UK and is listed as one of The Seven Wonders of Wales.

The Welsh name of the falls means 'water spout waterfall' which seems an excessive description, but the falls actually comprise of a water spout, shooting over a cliff, followed by another fall, so the ancient Welsh who named Pistyll Rhaeadr knew what they were doing!

To get to Pistyll Rhaeadr is not the easiest of journeys. This does, at least, mean that few other visitors will be around. The falls lie near the village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant about 14 miles west of the town of Oswestry. The final seven or eight miles of the journey is along a single track road. Parts of this road are only the width of the car, so drivers should drive slowly and be prepared to back up into one of the passing places.

There's a reasonable sized car park at the falls (£2.50 per day) which is located within a few hundred yards of the base of the waterfall. There is an honesty box if you arrive before the office is open.

As soon as you open the car doors, the sound of the waterfall hits you; a rushing, white noise as if thousands of TV's have been left on showing only static. The sound is quite hypnotic, even though, at this stage, the falls are hidden by the trees.

A quick walk from the car park takes you to the base of the waterfall; looking face on at the rushing torrent. At this point, you will stop. The scene is breathtaking! The sides of the valley are covered in oak and sycamore trees; lushly green in summer. Stern looking Welsh slate outcrops stick out from the valley sides, between the trees. Carpets of wild flowers will cover the valley floor in spring or summer, and the river forms a relatively calm pool at the base of the waterfall which is filled with small brown trout.

It is, of course, the falls, that dominate the view. The Afon Disgynfa tumbles over the vertical cliff face and plunges downward, sending out plumes of spray as it descends. The column of water seems taller than the stated height; the water seems to fall for ever before reaching the base (I enjoyed following, with my eyes, a section of water as it falls, seeing the speed of descent and watching the pattern dashed on the rocks).

About halfway down, the water passes through a stone arch. I have never seen this on a waterfall before; it almost looks like an ancient packhorse bridge put there by medieval man to cross the river (anyone trying to cross the arch would be extremely foolhardy, however!).

The final descent of the water is more powerful than the original spout as the water is concentrated by the arch and pushed out into free air for its final fall into the plunge pool below.

There is a bridge over the river where you can get even closer views of the rushing torrent. We were told, however, that in times of flood, the bridge is actually sprayed by the waterfall!

After viewing the falls, the visitor has a chance to explore the woodland that surrounds the base of the waterfall. These are classic Welsh upland woods, containing all of the special bird species local to this habitat. Pied flycatchers live here; tiny little black and white birds that dart out from a perch to catch flies. Wood warblers call from the trees, their calls sounding like a spinning coin. Other birds including willow warblers and blackcaps will be here, too, so a visit in spring or summer will be filled with gorgeous birdsong.

If you do visit in summer, bring some insect repellent. Clouds of midges descend on visitors in the woods, and the top of the falls are home to hungry horse flies.

There is also a walk to the top of the falls. This is clearly marked from the car park. This is, however, steep, slippery, and hazardous as there are no handrails or proper steps (I believe a decision's been made, not to put these safety items in, as it would spoil the natural beauty of the site; I agree). Only people with a reasonable level of fitness should attempt to gain the top of the falls (and children should be very closely supervised).

The top of the falls does not give as good a view as the base. The Afon Disgynfa can be seen plunging over the edge, but the falls themselves cannot. I'm not usually afraid of heights, but looking down from the top, was slightly unnerving for me.

From the top of the falls, the whole of the Berwyn Range of mountains can be viewed, and walked. From here, it's possible to make a seven mile walk that covers the three highest peaks in the Berwyns, Cadair Bronwyn, Cadair Berwyn, and Moel Sych. From this desolate heather moorland can be seen some special wildlife and it's likely that you'll have the mountains to yourself. Look out for hen harrier, merlin, peregrine falcon, and even goshawk if you do make this journey. Other birds present include stonechat, meadow pipit, and cuckoo. There's even a chance of spotting the elusive polecat.

After making the journey back to the car, it's likely that you'll be a bit 'peckish'. Fortunately, there is a place to eat. The Tan-y-Pistyll café, which means little house under the waterfall, is a beautiful little stone cottage. The food served here is of high quality and is not too expensive. If you visit and the weather's clement, sit at one of the outside tables. Here you can eat your food with a spectacular view of the waterfall; surely one of the most picturesque views for a meal in the whole of the UK!

The Tan-y-Pistyll is also a Bed and Breakfast, and the building has a small veranda that also looks over the falls. This looks like a gorgeous spot to stay for a night. I can only imagine what it must be like sitting out by the falls, with a drink, watching the sun gradually fall behind the valley walls. It sounds idyllic.

There is also a camp site here too, with the tents sited only a few hundred yards away from the waterfall. Camping here would be lovely as you drift asleep with the sound of the falls in the distance.

I really enjoyed my trip to Pistyll Rhaeadr. This is a natural attraction that really gives a sense of the power and wonder of nature. It's rare in this country to get to see something so wild, impressive, and unspoilt and I can recommend this as a place to visit for anyone interested in the great outdoors.

The website below contains lots of information about Pistyll Rhaeadr including directions to get there.

http://www.pistyllrhaeadr.co.uk/

Summary: The highest waterfall in Wales.