waterfall
Sgwd yr Eira
Spectacular waterfall in the Brecon Beacons where you can walk behind the curtain of water on a natural rock ledge, a truly unique experience.
6 km · about 10 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomWales
Hirwaun
Wales, United Kingdom · Europe
About Hirwaun
Hirwaun works well as a base: 10 minutes from Aberdare, 7km from Nedd Fechan Gorge.
Hirwaun is in Wales, United Kingdom, with about 7,200 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Aberdare, about 5 km away.
Hirwaun (, locally ; Welsh pronunciation: [ˈhɪrwai̯n] ) is a village and community at the north end of the Cynon Valley in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales. It is 4 miles (6 km) NW of the town of Aberdare, and comes under the Aberdare post town. The 2021 United Kingdom Census documented thatRead more
Hirwaun had a population of 5,237. The village is on the Heads of the Valleys Road and at the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Where to Stay in Hirwaun
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Hirwaun.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Hirwaun.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Hirwaun?
Within an hour or so of Hirwaun: Sgwd yr Eira (6 km), Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls) (6 km), Sgwd Clun-Gwyn (7 km), Nedd Fechan Gorge (7 km).
Are there any good drives near Hirwaun?
The nearest famous roads are Black Mountain Pass (A4069), Gospel Pass and Abergwesyn Pass (Devil's Staircase).
Where is Hirwaun?
Hirwaun is in Wales, United Kingdom, about 5 km from Aberdare.
Road trip
Drive to Hirwaun
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Hirwaun. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 7,247
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Wales
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.7392, -3.5103
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Hirwaun
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
waterfall
Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls)
A graceful fall on the Afon Pyrddin near Pontneddfechan, also walkable behind, in the heart of Waterfall Country.
6 km · about 10 min drive
waterfall
Sgwd Clun-Gwyn
The first of the Four Waterfalls on the Afon Mellte, a wide stepped fall in the limestone gorge near Ystradfellte.
7 km · about 15 min drive
natural wonder
Nedd Fechan Gorge
A limestone river gorge threaded with falls and caves between Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte, the spine of Waterfall Country.
7 km · about 15 min drive
waterfall
Henrhyd Falls
At 27m the highest waterfall in south Wales, and the Batcave entrance in The Dark Knight Rises; reached by a steep wooded path.
12 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Pontsticill Reservoir
A long reservoir beneath Pen y Fan served by the Brecon Mountain Railway, with forest trails along its eastern shore.
13 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Melincourt Falls
An 24m fall in the Neath Valley painted by Turner in 1795, reached by a short riverside path.
14 km · about 25 min drive
cafe
Rattlesnake Biker Cafe
A characterful biker cafe in the Brecon Beacons serving as a popular pit stop for riders exploring the stunning Welsh mountain roads.
16 km · about 30 min drive
Driving roads near Hirwaun
- 17 kmPen y FanThe highest peak in southern Britain at 886 metres, the flat-topped summit of the Brecon Beacons offering sweeping views across Wales.
- 17 kmCorn DuPen y Fan's twin summit at 873m, with a Bronze Age cairn and the finest view over the Beacons' north escarpment.
- 26 kmBlack Mountain Pass (A4069)Top Gear's favourite British road, a smooth, empty ribbon of hairpins and open bends over the western Brecon Beacons between Llangadog and Brynamman.
- 34 kmSugar Loaf (Y Fal)A 596m conical hill above Abergavenny with a 360-degree view over the Usk valley and the Black Mountains; easy from the car park.
- 35 kmWaun FachThe highest point of the Black Mountains at 811m, a broad peaty summit above the Vale of Ewyas and the Gospel Pass.
- 39 kmSkirrid Fawr (Ysgyryd Fawr)A landslipped 486m ridge above Abergavenny whose split profile gave rise to the legend it cracked at the Crucifixion.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Hirwaun.
Plan a trip around Hirwaun
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Hirwaun.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.