, Brecon, Powys, Wales,

Street View of Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal | Map of Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal location

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal winds its way through 35 miles of peaceful countryside all the way from Brecon to Cwmbran. Its pretty scenery and lightly-locked route make it understandably popular with holidaymakers. But its present rural character and tranquillity belies its original purpose as an industrial corridor for coal and iron, which were brought to the canal by a network of tramways or railroads.

Set almost entirely within the Brecon Beacons National Park, the canal is among the most beautiful anywhere on the waterways. On its way south it passes through the settlements of Brecon, Talybont-on-Usk, Llangynidr, Llangattock, Crickhowell, Gilwern, Govilon, Abergavenny, Llanfoist, Llanellen, Llanover, Goetre, Pontypool, Cwmbran, and Newport. Abergavenny and Brecon are both bustling market towns with plenty of things to see and do, especially on market days!

However the canal is essentially a rural waterway that for much of its 35 miles follows the tree lined course of the River Usk, and you will probably see more wildlife than people along its route; kingfishers, herons and buzzards are common and the canal is well stocked with fish.

Attractions on the way include a rich heritage of south Wales industrial history including a World Heritage Site, which also contains industrial landmarks such as the Big Pit Mining Museum.

There are several fleets of boats for hire based on the canal and the main visitor centre is at the picturesque Goytre Wharf, which is an eight acre site, popular with locals and visitors alike.

The canal is also popular with walkers as much of the canal towpath is easily walkable for almost the entire route. The Taff Trail cycle route, follows the canal for a few miles from Brecon, but the path after that is not suitable for cyclists.....