Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve, near Ystradgynlais

Welcome

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve is a huge expanse of moorland with magnificent views, situated in the heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

It is difficult to imagine the thriving village of Penwyllt that was once here, with its own railway station, post office and public house.

The village provided a home to workers at the limestone quarry, the silica brickworks and a large number of lime kilns.

You can follow our waymarked walking trail to discover some of the industrial remains or enjoy the views on one of the footpaths from the car park.

The varied rock types in the reserve produce different soils on which a range of plants grow and the cave system is one of the most extensive in Europe - it is a popular destination for proficient cavers.

Walking trail

The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Tram and Train Trail

• Grade: moderate
• Distance: 1½ miles/2.3 kilometres (or 2½ miles/3.6 kilometres if you follow a longer section of the old railway line)
• Climb: 200 feet/60 metres
• Time: 1 hour
• Terrain: The paths are grassy and uneven in places. There are several gates and stiles.

Follow this short waymarked walk around the reserve and discover the remains of a tramway, a railway line, lime kilns and a brick works.

Other walking routes

Penwyllt – Craig-y-nos

You can follow a circular route from Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve to Craig-y-nos Country Park.

This route follows bridleways and old tramroads - we recommend you use a map to follow it.

For more information about the Penwyllt – Craig-y-nos walking route, go to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park's website.

Beacons Way

The Beacons Way passes through Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve.

This 95 mile long (152km) iconic walk runs the length of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

For more information about the Beacons Way go to the National Park's website.

What to see on the National Nature Reserve

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National is a National Nature Reserve.

National Nature Reserves are places with some of the very finest examples of wildlife habitats and geological features.

The landscape and wildlife varies depending on which time of year you visit – here’s what to look out for.

Wide variety of plantlife

Large expanses of acidic rocks on the reserve are covered in heather, which is at its best in early autumn, as well as bilberry, mosses and lichens.

Less common plants such as mountain everlasting autumn gentian and mossy saxifrage grow in the grassland.

The fissures and cracks in the limestone pavement are home to limestone specialist plants, as well as those more typically found in a woodland or hedgerow. These plants include:

• Small scabious
• Lily of the valley
• Wood anemone
• Hart’s tongue fern
• Black spleenwort
• Herb robert

Early summer is the best time to see most of the limestone-loving plants.

Wildlife above and below ground

The moorland is an ideal habitat for nesting birds - look out for skylarks and wheatears in summer.

The most fascinating creatures live in the caves and some of them, such as crustaceans that live in the water, can only survive underground. 

Other creatures, such as the herald moth and the tissue moth, spend winter in the caves and summer in the open air.

Bats hibernate in the cave passages in winter, and blanched trout live in the underground stream.

Industrial past

The village of Penwyllt’s fortunes rose and fell along with the industrial revolution in South Wales, and it steadily declined until it was abandoned.

Nowadays you can see brickwork remains, quarry workings, former tramroads and a row of terraced cottages near the car park.

These cottages were once lived in by workers and their families. They are now the headquarters of the South Wales Caving Club and provide accommodation for club members and visiting cavers.

The caves

The caves were discovered by the South Wales Caving Club in 1946.

They are full of features from underground streams to waterfalls, and stalagmites to stalactites.

The caves may only be accessed by properly equipped cavers with a permit from the South Wales Caving Club - the entrances are gated and locked at all other times.

For more information about the caves, including photos and videos, go to the South Wales Caving Club website.

National Nature Reserves in Wales

There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves.

Dan-yr-Ogof National Showcaves Centre

The National Showcaves Centre for Wales is on the opposite side of the valley, just off the A4067.

This is a privately-run tourist attraction with an admission charge.

Part of the Dan-yr-Ogof cave system is a National Nature Reserve.

For more information go to the National Showcaves Centre for Wales website.

Craig-y-nos Country Park

The Craig-y-nos Country Park is nearby.

This 40-acre Victorian garden with woodlands, meadows, ponds, lawns and rivers is managed by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

The car park entrance is on the A4067 and it is open daily (except Christmas Day).

For more information, go to the Craig-y-nos Country Park website.

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve is in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

The National Park covers approximately 520 square miles of mountains and moorland in South and Mid Wales.

It is looked after by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority.

For more information go to the National Park's visitor website.

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

Please note:

• Dangerous cliffs and old quarry faces with scree and boulder slopes – don’t climb.
• Slippery slopes, sink holes (deep holes that drop into the cave system) and very rough ground - wear footwear with a good grip, keep to paths and take care.
• Mountain weather can change rapidly - always carry appropriate clothing and equipment.
• The caves may only be accessed by properly equipped cavers with a permit from the South Wales Caving Club - the entrances are gated and locked at all other times.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

We recommend you follow these directions or use the Google map below which has a pin on this place’s location.

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve is 6 miles north of Ystradgynlais.

Take the A4067 from Ystradgynlais to Abercraf and Pen y Cae.

Continue through Pen y Cae and turn right down a minor road signposted to Penwyllt.

Follow brown and white tourist signs over river and bear left at junction.

Go past a disused quarry on the left and follow the dead-end track to the car park.

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SN 856 155 (Explorer Map OL 12).

The postcode is SA9 1GQ. Please note that this postcode covers a wide area and will not take you directly to the entrance.

View this place on the What3Words website.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Ammanford.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.