Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Brecon, Talybont-on-Usk and Return - 14 miles, 2 locks, 8 hours total
Situated within the open countryside of the Brecon Beacon's National Park, arrive at this picturesque marina and start your journey by cruising north to follow the meandering canal to Brecon. The River Usk is never too far away as you cruise under pretty stone bridges through wooded countryside views, and the Brynich Aqueduct even takes you over the River. Immediately after the aqueduct and bridge you arrive at the only lock on this route. The canal leads you straight to Brecon, cruising high above the Usk, and passing the back of houses & gardens to Theatre Basin, where you can moor to explore the market town. Dating back to the Romans the town is home to a cathedral, castle, the Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery and every August the town is dominated by the Brecon Jazz Festival. It should take approximately 1.5 hours to cruise from the base to Brecon.
Once back on-board you can turn in the basin to make your way back past the marina and through the little village of Pencelli, where there is your first waterfront pub. Continue your journey south navigating a sharp bend and under a series of lift bridges to Talybont and the Caerfanell Aqueduct. The quiet village has much to offer including fishing facilities, horse riding, walking and biking. Details of these activities can be found in the Venture Centre. There are some stores in the village for stocking up, as well as a couple of pubs. You can turn the boat after the White Hart Inn and start making your return journey.
Intermediate route: Brecon, Llangattock and Return - 21 miles, 12 locks, 16 hours total
An intermediate weekend route, cruising between 6-7 hours per day, or a relaxed midweek, only requiring between 4-5 hours cruising each day. Follow the route above but continue your journey past Talybont to Llangattock, which is approximately 4 hours further down the canal.
Start by cruising north to Brecon, which is approximately 1.5 hours cruising from the marina. You will encounter one lock, a small aqueduct and plenty of stone bridges whilst you follow the River Usk through pretty wooded countryside. As you approach the market town, the scenery becomes more suburban, passing the back of houses & gardens as you make your way to Theatre Basin. Dating back to the Romans the town is home to a cathedral, castle, the Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery and every August the town is dominated by the Brecon Jazz Festival. Turn in the basin to make your journey south past the boatyard and through the small village of Pencelli, where you will encounter the first waterfront pub. The canal takes a sharp bend and then flows under a series of lift bridges, the last being the electric lift bridge at Talybont-on-Usk. The village is well worth an explore if you have time, offering a host of activities such as horse riding, biking and trekking as well as a couple of eateries. Returning to your boat cruise through the Ashford Tunnel (375yds in length), the canal becomes flanked by wooded hills and there is a picnic area nestled under the woodland before you begin to make your way through the 5 locks on your approach to the small villages of Cwm Crawnon and Llangynidr both offering opportunities for refreshment. Follow the canal through dense woodland and over a small aqueduct to arrive at the busy moorings at Llangattock Wharf. You can take a stroll to explore the caving sites in the area or walk to the interesting market town of Crickhowell (approximately 1 mile away), which is nestled in the valleys of the mountains. Home to a variety of unique shops and plenty of eateries to choose from. The bridge over the River Usk provides some good fishing opportunities. Returning to your boat make your journey back to the marina.
Active route: Llanfoist and Return - 37 miles, 10 locks, 18.5 hours total
Most suited for a midweek break, requiring approximately 5-6 hours cruising per day. Journey south through the small village of Pencelli, where you will encounter the first waterfront pub. The canal takes a sharp bend and then flows under a series of lift bridges, the last being the electric lift bridge at Talybont-on-Usk. The village is well worth an explore if you have time, offering a host of activities such as horse riding, biking and trekking as well as a couple of eateries. Returning to your boat cruise through the Ashford Tunnel (375yds in length), the canal is flanked by wooded hills and there is a picnic area nestled under the woodland before you begin to make your way through the 5 locks on your approach to the small villages of Cwm Crawnon and Llangynidr both offering opportunities for refreshment. Follow the canal through dense woodland and over a small aqueduct to arrive at the busy moorings at Llangattock Wharf. You can take a stroll to explore the caving sites in the area or walk to the interesting market town of Crickhowell (approximately 1 mile away), which is nestled in the valleys of the mountains. Home to a variety of unique shops and plenty of eateries to choose from. The bridge over the River Usk provides some good fishing opportunities. Returning to your boat, make your way through extensive parkland to the small village of Gilwern navigating over a couple of small aqueducts carrying the canal over small streams with horseshoe bends - which offer unrivalled views of the mountains. The village of Llanfoist is barely visible from the canal but if you moor at the boathouse it is within walking distance. You can follow the course of the old tramway into the Black Mountains or for the very adventurous, there are opportunities to go white water rafting on the River Usk near Abergavenny, or even go for a swim in the wild waters. Abergavenny has plenty of shops to peruse, Abergavenny Museum which is set in the grounds of a ruined Norman Castle, and the market town also offers bike hire. Returning to your boat, turn in the boatyard to start making your return journey to the marina.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Brecon and Pontymoile and Return - 64 miles, 12 locks, 30 hours total
Starting from Pencelli, you can cruise the whole of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in a 7 night break, leaving ample time to explore north to Brecon and south to Pontymoile Basin. Take your time exploring the various places of interest along the canal.
Begin your journey by cruising north from the marina to make your way to Brecon.
The River Usk is never too far away as you cruise under pretty stone bridges through wooded countryside views, and the Brynich Aqueduct even takes you over the River. Immediately after the aqueduct and bridge you arrive at the only lock on this route. The canal leads you straight to Brecon, cruising high above the Usk, and passing the back of houses & gardens to Theatre Basin, where you can moor to explore the market town. Dating back to the Romans the town is home to a cathedral, castle, the Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery and every August the town is dominated by the Brecon Jazz Festival. It should take approximately 1.5 hours to cruise from the base to Brecon.
Once back on-board you can turn in the basin to make your way back past the marina and through the little village of Pencelli, where there is your first waterfront pub. Continue your journey south navigating a sharp bend and under a series of lift bridges to Talybont and the Caerfanell Aqueduct. The quiet village has much to offer including fishing facilities, horse riding, walking and biking. Details of these activities can be found in the Venture Centre. There are some stores in the village for stocking up, as well as a couple of pubs. Continue your southerly cruise through the Ashford Tunnel (375yds in length), the canal is flanked by wooded hills and there is a picnic area nestled under the woodland before you begin to make your way through the 5 locks on your approach to the small villages of Cwm Crawnon and Llangynidr both offering opportunities for refreshment. Follow the canal through dense woodland and over a small aqueduct to arrive at the busy moorings at Llangattock Wharf. You can take a stroll to explore the caving sites in the area or walk to the interesting market town of Crickhowell (approximately 1 mile away), which is nestled in the valleys of the mountains. Home to a variety of unique shops and plenty of eateries to choose from. The bridge over the River Usk provides some good fishing opportunities. Returning to your boat, make your way through extensive parkland to the small village of Gilwern navigating over a couple of small aqueducts carrying the canal over small streams with horseshoe bends - which offer unrivalled views of the mountains. The village of Llanfoist is barely visible from the canal but if you moor at the boathouse it is within walking distance. You can follow the course of the old tramway into the Black Mountains or for the very adventurous, there are opportunities to go white water rafting on the River Usk near Abergavenny, or even go for a swim in the wild waters. Abergavenny has plenty of shops to peruse, Abergavenny Museum which is set in the grounds of a ruined Norman Castle, and the market town also offers bike hire. Leaving Abergavenny behind, continue your cruise south through a particularly rural stretch with little interruptions until you reach Goytre Wharf. There is a cafe and restaurant at the wharf if you are in need of refreshments. The canal bends past two little villages of Penperlleni and Mamhilad, although not visible, there are pubs within walking distance. Arriving at Pontymoile Basin, there is a pretty toll cottage which can now be hired as a holiday cottage. The town is around one mile from the canal if you wish to explore Pontypool Park and the dry ski slopes before you make your return journey to Pencelli and the marina for home.
