Gorge-Walking in ‘Waterfall Country’ – Dinas / Sychryd and Mellte Gorges
“Organised groups can gain permission to operate in the area from Natural Resources Wales through agreement with a Concordat”
The land within ‘Waterfall Country’ is owned by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA) and a number of private landowners. While much of the site is designated Open Access land, this only allows for general public access on foot, not commercial or otherwise organised activities. Private land may not be fenced or marked but there is no right of access to these areas.
Organised groups can gain permission to operate in the area from Natural Resources Wales either by:
- through agreement with a Concordat; or
- applying directly to NRW via their bureaucratic and costly ‘Woodlands and You‘ permitting scheme.
As much of the area in and around the gorges is legally protected for the high quality and rarity of its habitats, activity groups must follow simple Codes of Conduct to minimise the environmental impact of a visit. Compliance with these Codes is a requirement of being permitted to access the sites.
This Concordat and the accompanying Code of Conduct and guidelines were developed between representatives of Outdoor Activity Providers and BBNPA and NRW working collaboratively. This work took place from 2008, with Seminars in January 2009 and May 2010 and the finalised Concordat was one of the key factors in the launch of SWOAPG in July 2010.
Outdoor Providers wishing to use the Sychryd Gorge and the Lower Mellte for Gorge Walking are required to first join SWOAPG (including sign-up to the Concordat to enable them to use the site with Landowner permission), then complete Sychryd & Lower Mellte Code of Conduct training. For the Upper Mellte a separate Upper Mellte Code of Conduct training must be completed, as well as an AALS licence or technical advisors statement.
This agreement and collaborative approach to environmentally sustainable use of a SSSI and SAC by Activity Providers was the first of its kind in the UK and has been a template for what can be achieved by working together.
Registered Gorge-Walking Providers
The following table lists the providers who are currently registered with us to use the Sychryd & Lower Mellte (“Sychryd”) and / or Upper Mellte (“Mellte”) gorges (and have agreed to publish their information on this website – for contact details see our Full Members list):
NB providers are listed by default in random order. Last updated 29 March 2023 reflecting providers registered to use the gorges from 1 April 2023..
| Business / organisation name | Gorges |
|---|---|
| Parkwood Outdoors Dolygaer | Sychryd |
| Atlantic Experience | Sychryd & Mellte |
| Positif Care | Sychryd & Mellte |
| Savage Adventures | Sychryd & Mellte |
| Argoed Lwyd Outdoor Education Centre | Sychryd & Mellte |
| Mountain and River Activities Ltd | Sychryd |
| Outdoor Matters | Sychryd |
| Life Changing Activities | Sychryd & Mellte |
| RipnRock Ltd | Sychryd & Mellte |
| Black Mountain Activities | Sychryd & Mellte |
| Steve Rayner Outdoor Pursuits | Sychryd |
| Quest Adventure Activities Ltd | Mellte |
| Baywater Adventures | Sychryd & Mellte |
| Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre | Sychryd |
| Pro-Active Adventure Ltd | Sychryd |
| Fairways Outdoor Adventures | Sychryd |
| Call of the Wild Ltd | Sychryd & Mellte |