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Description
(Photography by John Ball - 19 Mar 1998)
Pistyll Rhaeadr (the spout of the waterfall) is often described as one of the best waterfalls in Wales. The total height of the falls is about 300 feet, comprising a 200-ft drop followed immediately by a second drop of about 100 ft. The waterfall is at Tan-y-pistyll, about four miles upstream from the village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and twenty miles north-west of Welshpool.
Image 1 ,2: Pistyll Rhaeadr viewed from below. The lower section of the falls is partly obscured by bushes.
Image 3: A closer view showing the lower fall emerging through an opening worn through the rock, creating a natural archway.
Image 4, and Image 4: View from the top of Pistyll Rhaeadr showing the river Afon Disgynfa spilling over the precipitous clifftop into the valley 300 ft below.
Thomas Pennant described his visit to Pistyll Rhaeadr in Part 2 of Tours in Wales first published in 1781. Pennant wrote:
I must speak with due respect of the memory of the late worthy vicar, Dr. Worthington; to whose hospitable house I was indebted for a seasonable reception, the wet evening which fortunately preceded my visit to Pistill Rhaiadr (sic). This celebrated cataract terminates the precipitous end of a very narrow valley, and, as it were, divides a bold front of the Berwyn mountains. After sliding for some time along a small declivity, it darts down at once two-thirds of the precipice, and, falling on a ledge, has, in the process of time, worn itself a passage through the rock, and makes a second cataract beneath a noble arch which it has formed; on the slippery summit of which, a daring shepherd will sometimes terrify you with standing. The second fall reaches the bottom, and assumes the name of the Rhaiadr, or the cascade.
The defect of this noble fall, is the want of wood. When I visited it, the approach was very bad; but that is not only effectually remedied by the late benevolent vicar, but, as I am informed, he has besides erected a cottage, as a retreat to the traveller from the fury of the storm.
Source: RHYS, John (editor) 1883. Tours in Wales of Thomas Pennant, H. Humphreys, Caernarfon.
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