Cwm Nant Dyar

 

I have been exploring Clydach in Monmouthshire over the last few weeks. It has been a trip down memory lane for me as I used to live there over 30 years ago. Back then digital photography was no more than science fiction but things have changed much since then. Whilst the A465 Heads of the Valley Road that dominates the gorge leading to Brynmawr has undergone some major developments, the village of Clydach has hardly changed.

This place remains as beautiful as ever. It has so much history being one of the birth places of forging iron on an industrial scale and parts of the Cwm Clydach valley are designated sites of Special Scientific Interest and is home to some of the most westerly native beech trees in Britain.

These beech trees thrive on the shallow, stony soil of the gorge.The dense canopy of the beech trees creates a dark, shaded environment, which limits the growth of ground flora.However, this unique habitat supports a variety of specialist plants, including the rare bird's nest orchid.

There are lots of hidden places in Clydach to go and find that are not quite on the beaten track. One of these is the Valley of the Dyar or better known in Welsh as the Cwm Nant Dyar.

This is a small gorge that has been created by a stream named the Dyar that runs down from Gilwern Hill,high above Clydach.

Despite having lived in the area previously its not somewhere that I have been before. I used to drive past the footpath pointer sign every day coming back and forth to work oblivious to what was there.

Last weekend I made an effort to visit Cwm Nant Dyar a couple of hours after sunrise on a wonderfully sunny autumn morning.

I found the footpath that is located on Station Road in Clydach alongside a road bridge that passes over the Nant Dyar. There are actually two paths that run alongside the gorge and lead eventually up steep hills to the Nant Dyar Railway Viaduct. I had done some research before visiting and by all accounts there was meant to be some lovely cascades and waterfalls but getting to them looked a little challenging.

I started making my way up the footpath and was immediately impressed. The gorge was full of trees, many of them Beech and Oak. The vibrant autumn colours were fantastic. The sound of rushing water and a fast flowing stream got me all excited.

After a short walk I came across the first of the cascades and waterfalls in a beautiful spot.

The Nant Dyars clear waters were fast flowing and hurtling down the gorge. The water was not that deep but I had to be careful as some of the pools were over a welly in depth. The rocks were also slippery in places. It was like a land that time had forgotten, really idyllic.

After scouting out the paths I came to the conclusion that the only way I could progress and see more of the cascades and falls was to stay in the Nant Dyar. 

So off I went wading through the waters, clambering up over boulders and fallen trees, stopping here and there to take photographs. The exertion was fun and it all felt like a great adventure.

Eventually I reached a really interesting waterfall. Lying across the top of it was a huge tree trunk.The Dyar was flowing down over and through a hole it had created in the bedrock. Above the fall was my first tantalising view of the viaduct that loomed high above in the distance. there was space in the tree canopy at this spot for me to put my drone up for some very unique views of area.

I then climbed up over the waterfall to see what I can only describe as an absolutely stunning view of the biggest waterfall on the Dyar that lies at the foundations of the viaduct.

I stood there gazing up in awe and the hairs on my neck were standing up. It was just like being on a film set for the Lord of the Rings. I imagined Galadriel or Gandalf  stepping out in front of the waterfall and I am sure I could hear the theme music playing in my head.

For a moment I just sat , watched , listened and breathed in lovely fresh air. I felt very chilled out and relaxed.

Then it was lights , camera action and I was in my element setting my camera kit up to capture that wonderful moment.

I am so glad that I visited. In my opinion this is probably one of the most beautiful locations in Clydach. The final waterfalls are gorgeous and it all feels very atmospheric.

Finally after spending a couple of hours mesmerised by it all I started making my way out of the gorge. There is a steep path that leads out under the viaduct.

As I walked out I bumped into another photographer. He enquired if he could get down the Nant. After giving him some advice , he chuckled and told me he had been watching me making progress up the stream like a Commando and said he did not have his wellies and had no intention of doing anything crazy like me :)

The Technical Bit

As  usual I was carrying quite a bit of camera kit with me.

I continue to be incredibly impressed with the iPhone 13 Pro camera capabilities and used it quite a lot for what i would describe as non-technical shots ( non -long exposure).

1. Nikon Z6 (mark 1)
2. Nikor S Z 24-700mm lens
3. Neewer Magnetic MRC ND1000 72mm filter.
4. Manfrotto Travel Tripod.
5. DJI 2S Drone
6. iPhone13 Pro

My main method for getting the smoky water effect is to first take a compose the shot and take a picture at a higher shutter speed using autofocus. Then switch to manual and add the ND filter and then use a 20-30 second exposure. ISO was always 100. I have been impressed with the results as the images have not had a great deal of noise and I have not processed them using Topaz denoise.

One thing that was essential was a pair of Wellington boots!