Rules governing access to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu

~ Access to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu II & Cwm Dwr   (for details of Ogof Ffynnon Ddu I access click here)

The entrances to OFD II & Cwm Dwr are located in a National Nature Reserve administered by the Countryside Council For Wales (CCW) and all visiting cavers must be authorised to do so by means of a CCW permit.

This includes through trips from/to OFD I. Unless you are a member of a club with an annual permit, you will need to arrange this in advance with the CCW by contacting the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu Management Committee Permit Secretary

The cave entrances are gated, keys can be collected from SWCC HQ on production of a permit.

Such permits are available, via the OFDMC Permit Secretary, to members of clubs which are member clubs of one of the Regional Councils of the BCA. Permits are normally valid only for a specified date. The OFDMC will consider applications for permits that are valid for one year but such permits are normally granted only to clubs that visit the cave frequently and have, over a significant period, demonstrated a responsible attitude to safety and conservation.

Conditions of Access to OFD II & Cwm Dwr

1. Parties shall be limited to a maximum of six persons, including the leader.
   
2. Unless the SWCC HQ is closed (when other arrangements must be made) a key-ticket which indicates the name of each person entering the Cave must be completed. The destination board by the main door of the HQ must be used. Parties are required to make other arrangements for call-out if leaving the cave after 5.00pm on Sundays.
   
3. The leader is responsible for the conduct, safety AND the provision of the necessary equipment to complete the trip. They must also draw the attention of their party to the conditions relating to the use of any fixed equipment within the Cave. This information is displayed on the board in the SWCC HQ. (A copy of these will be given to mid-week users).
   
4. Permits are issued for ENTRY ONLY. Camping, digging and the use of explosives, dye traces and other research projects require special permission.
   
5. Marker tapes must not be crossed or moved, under any circumstances.
   
6. ONLY electric lighting is to be used. Carbide MUST NOT be taken into the Cave.
   
7. The gates are to be locked at all times.
8. Commercial caving trips are not permitted.
   
9. No litter whatsoever is to be left either inside or outside the Cave. No cairns are to be built inside or outside the Cave.
   
10. Installations, apparatus and equipment must not be damaged. If accidental damage occurs this should be reported immediately upon return.
    
11. Access to the land surface of the OFD National Nature Reserve is unrestricted, but visitors are asked to help protect the wildlife and natural beauty of this reserve by:
    i. Avoiding damage to trees, plants, fences and walls.
    ii. Preventing fires.
    iii. Avoiding disturbance to grazing stock.
    
12. Failure to observe these conditions may result in any future application to the Management Committee for entry to the NNR being refused.

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu II Streamway

Please note that:

1. CAVERS ARE ADVISED TO WEAR WETSUITS IN THIS STREAMWAY.
   
2. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT NOVICES SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN INTO THE OFD II STREAMWAY.
3. THE STREAMWAY CAN BE DANGEROUS IN WET OR UNSETTLED WEATHER.
   

Columns Access

Access to the Columns ( in OFD II ) has been restricted since 1978 following a number of incidents of wanton damage to the area. The Columns and adjacent floor are particularly vulnerable because, being formed from limekiln seepage, they are much more fragile than conventional calcite formations. All parties visiting the Columns must therefore be accompanied by a Warden.
Wardens will normally be available to accompany parties on the Sundays of the Easter, May Day, Spring, and August Bank Holidays, and the New Years Bank Holiday itself. Parties wishing to visit the Columns at these times do not need to make any prior arrangement, but should have a valid permit for OFD II and should make themselves known to the Warden by 10.00am on the day.

OFD II / Cwm Dwr Permits

In order to obtain a permit for OFD II / Cwm Dwr, please contact the OFDMC Permit Secretary .

Please read the Access Conditions before applying.

~ Access to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu I

As of January 2012 it is no longer necessary to have a registered Leader to enter OFD I. However this cave is prone to flooding and all cavers are advised to make themselves familiar with the risks and the escape routes. An OFD I permit is required to enter this cave, and can be applied for by any established caving clubs by contacting the Permit Secretary.

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu I - Access Conditions and Approach Routes

1. Entry to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu I is by Permit from SWCC which can be applied for by any member of a bone-fide Caving Club. If as a Caving Club or visiting group, you already hold a Permit for Ogof Ffynnon Ddu II and Cwm Dwr, then you will not have to apply for a further permit to enter Ogof Ffynnon Ddu I.
2. Party size: Parties shall be limited to a maximum of six persons.
3. A trip-ticket which indicates the name of each person entering the Cave, along with the intended route, must be completed and placed on the Destination Board in the SWCC HQ. Parties are required to make other arrangements for call-out if leaving the cave after 5.00pm on Sundays or if SWCC HQ is closed.
4. Safety: All cavers should be responsible for their own safety and carry the correct equipment for their intended trip. They should also be aware of the conditions relating to the use of any fixed equipment "fixed aids" within the Cave. This information is displayed in the SWCC HQ.
   
5. River levels: The underground river can rapidly become impassable, and parties should avoid it when water levels are high or when heavy rain is forecast. If you are in any doubt as to the water levels then please avoid entering the streamway.
6. The Escape Route is quite exposed and all cavers should satisfy themselves that they posses the necessary equipment and skill to negotiate the route before committing to it.
7. Permits are issued for recreational and scientific caving only. Special activities including camping, digging, the use of explosives, dye tracing and other invasive research projects require special permission via the committee of The South Wales Caving Club. Commercial trips are not permitted.
8. Conservation tapes must not be crossed or moved, under any circumstances.
9. Lighting: ONLY electric lighting is to be used. Carbide MUST NOT be taken into the Cave.
10. The entrance gate must be shut after your party passes through. All OFD gates can be opened from the inside without a key.
11. Litter and conservation: OFD is a 'non-smoking' cave. No litter whatsoever is to be left either inside or outside the Cave. No cairns are to be built inside or outside the Cave. Please be aware of cave conservation throughout your trip. Formations, installations, apparatus and equipment found in the Cave must not be damaged. If accidental damage occurs this should be reported as soon as possible.
12. Cwm Dwr and OFD II / III: Access to the rest of the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu system (CWM Dwr or OFD II / III) requires a separate CCW Permit. If you do not have a CCW permit, access beyond the Divers' Pitch is strictly forbidden.
13. Failure to observe these conditions may result in any future application for a permit being refused and for any issued permits to be withdrawn.
14. Access Routes: Cavers must no longer approach the cave via the yard and garden at Y Grithig. Please use the following routes:

    If you are walking from the SWCC HQ: Take the road down the hill, past the houses, and take the footpath signposted on your right (through a gate). There is a bathtub a few metres down. Follow the path for another 500m or so, through a wooden gate, and you will come to the site of a previous gate. Turn left and walk beside the dry stone walling and then cross the wire fence at the point where there is no barbed wire. This brings you out just above the cave entrance; take care as the path down the bank is often slippery.
    If you are parking in the usual lay-by further down the hill: Walk down the lane parallel to the river, keep going past Y Grithig and take the footpath on your right (taking care to shut the gate - there are sometimes horses in here). Follow the path up (~ 100m) to the site of a previous gate and turn right along the dry stone walling, as described above. If you reach the wooden gate you've gone too far.
    
    
    ^ back to OFD II access