Waterfalls of Wales 2010 Calendar

The Sgwd Gwladys or Lady Falls waterfall is on the river Pyrddin in an area of Wales known as Waterfall country. Nowhere else in Wales is there such a richness and diversity of waterfalls within such a small area as can be found in the Vale of Neath. This abundance has led to the region becoming known as 'Waterfall Country'. The deep gorges of the rivers Mellte, Hepste and Nedd Fechan, between the villages of Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte, provide opportunities for the casual walker and the more experienced. Many of the falls are spectacular and worth visiting more than once through the changing seasons. Waterfall Country is situated in a triangle formed by the villages of Hirwaun, Ystradfellte, and Pontneddfechan. Waterfall country includes the head waters of the rivers Nedd, Mellte, Pyrddin and Hepste. These rivers drain the old red sandstone mountain ranges of the Fan’s in the north and travel south through the deep V shaped wooded valleys the rivers have formed in the carboniferous limestone of the southern belt of the national park. In addition to being part of the national park, waterfall country is officially designated as a site of special scientific interest containing over 200 species of mosses, liverworts, and ferns. Since designation as a national park in 1957 the popularity of waterfall country combined with a steep and difficult terrain which is subject to heavy rainfall has led to widespread footpath erosion.