Canal and Beacons View Circular Route

Canal and Beacons View Circular Route is a 8.0 kilometer loop trail located near Brecon, Powys, Wales that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking.

Distance: 8.0 km Elevation Gain: 302 m Route Type: Loop

VIEW FULL MAP

A wonderful walk in Powys, following the well-marked Usk Valley Walk up from the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The route takes you up and over a ridge, with great views of the Usk Valley and over to the Black Mountain Range, to a stunning lookout over the Brecon Beacons range with a view of the rear Cribyn and Pen y Fan ridge and Twyn Du hill over Talybont valley and its reservoir. The return leg follows a quiet back road down to Talybont village, (with facilities just a 200 yard detour along canal) then back to the start along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The first section is steep with a total ascent of 150 metres so walking boots are required, but the pay back is an easy stroll back down a very quiet road and along the canal towpath so the hardest section is over while you are freshest. You will need to negotiate some gates, cross a few stiles, and cross some tiny streams You may come across sheep, cows and alpacas during the initial ascent. Allow 2.5 hours.

Start to Usk Valley Walk
From the church, turn left along the road and then turn right onto the rough track which leads to the canal. Walk over the canal bridge and turn up the path to the RIGHT. (Do NOT turn up the forestry path and green gate). Follow the steep climb through gates (and crossing over a couple of tiny streams if it is wet).
51.87360, -3.26811
Usk Valley Walk to Small Fir Wood
Keep following the Usk Valley Walk (marked with blue arrow waymarkers) across the fields. You will begin to have amazing views over to Table Mountain above Crickhowell, down the valley and Allt yr Esgair and to Myndd Troed in the Black Mountains beyond. Keep on going uphill and you will reach a stand of fir (larch) trees and small wood.
51.87234, -3.26948
Small Fir Wood to Beacons View
Pass through the stand of fir (larch) trees and small wood. Continue and you will see the Brecon Beacons in front of you after a steep pull.
51.87630, -3.28260
Beacons View to Talybont Reservoir View
Emerge through a gate and you will see a tarmac minor road. Turn right to go downhill to the cattle grid and then turn left to follow the Usk Valley Walk footpath sign and walk uphill. Walk on to the top where there is a wonderful view of the Brecon Beacons and the Talybont Valley with its reservoir.
51.87550, -3.28868
Talybont Reservoir View to Canal and Lime Kilns
Walk on up the field on the path and the view will get better the further and higher up the field you go. Sit, have a cake and a thermos of tea and admire the huge Victorian reservoir dam below and the mountain ridges going up the valleys. The reservoir is the largest of many in the Beacons. When you have finished enjoying the views, retrace your steps back down the hill to reach the tarmac lane by the cattle grid. Turn left along the road, continuing your journey downhill. Eventually you will come to the canal bridge at the bottom of the valley.
51.87515, -3.29396
Canal and Lime Kilns to Ashford Tunnel
Join the canal towpath heading south (right) with the canal running on your right. The canal runs 35 miles and is a lovely peaceful path. You are likely to see lots of canal boats on the way. The canal no longer runs to Newport, but there are plans for restoration and a few sections have reopened. You will come to the Ashford Tunnel.
51.89319, -3.28396
Ashford Tunnel to End
Continue past Ashford Tunnel which is 343m long - there is a little footpath to the side of the road to lead you past the tunnel. Keep going until you reach the canal bridge at the start of the walk (Bridge 138) and then turn left back down to Llandetty Church on the main road, where the walk began.
51.88789, -3.27651

No one has reviewed this trail yet. Be the first!

Canal and Beacons View Circular Route

Brecon Beacons National Park

Description

Waypoints

Getting There

Reviews (0)

Photos (7)

Recordings (0)

Featured Trails

Anthony Creek Leadbetter Ridge Loop Trail

Pine Mountain Trail

Taylor Dunes Trail

Finale Ligure - Calvisio, Camporotondo, Reseghe

Memorial Hill

Bald Rock

Tower Trail and Grizzly Peak Short Loop to Gillespie Youth Camp

Teuchelweg und Teinacher Staße Loop

Zinal to Cabane de Mountet

Canal and Beacons View Circular Route

hiking

walking

lake

partially paved

views

wild flowers

Featured Trails