Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal – Brecon Canal Basin loop from Brecon

Hiking trails & Routes

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal – Brecon Canal Basin loop from Brecon

Easy

hikers

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal – Brecon Canal Basin loop from Brecon

00:52

3.40km

10m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.01 km

Watton Bridge (Bridge 165)

Highlight • Bridge

This is the bridge that brings you out by Morrisons garage in the Watton in Brecon.

Tip by

1.63 km

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

Highlight • Cycleway

Our beautiful local canal, which sits on the northern fringes of the Brecon Beacons, is a hidden gem of a place. It is one of the most underestimated locations in Wales and a great plan 'B' walk if the weather is a tad 'Welsh' higher up. Be it walking, biking, or kayaking, this is simply a gorgeous venue! Given life by the River Usk, the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal stretches 35+ beautiful, tranquil miles between the Brecon Basin and Pontymoile Basin. The scenery here never fails to impress, and it is simply my favourite place on earth!

Tip by

2.09 km

Horse-Drawn Tram Cart Wooden Sculpture

Highlight • Structure

Located alongside the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal, this wooden sculpture recalls the horse-drawn tram carts of the early nineteenth century, before railways. At that time, canals and tramways were used to carry freight, including items such as farm produce, timber, and beer in barrels. Coal was also carried for industrial use, domestic heating, and cooking. The main item to be carried was the local limestone so it could be burned in limekilns to produce lime for whitewash, fertiliser, and building mortar.

Tip by

2.88 km

Brecon Canal Basin

Highlight • River

This is a beautiful canal basin forming the start of the Monmouth and Brecon Canal. It's a beautiful setting overlooked by Brecon Theatre, where there is a cafe/bistro. Meanwhile, on the water, there are chartered barge trips along with boat and kayak trips most of the year. Brecon town centre is nearby, and there is pay-and-display parking on site.

Tip by

3.22 km

Y Gaer – Museum, Art Gallery & Library

Highlight • Structure

Y Gaer – Museum, Art Gallery & Library is a cultural venue at the heart of Brecon, it includes Brecknock Museum, one of the best small museums in Wales, along with Brecon Library. The Museum, established in 1928, was originally housed within the Grade II listed old Shire Hall in Brecon. Now it is held in this fine modern annex to the old court house. The exhibits are first class, and holds a significant art collection, spanning the eighteenth century to the present day. The local displays and exhibits are quite fascinating, and includes the old courtroom along with a Victorian school classroom.

Tip by

3.30 km

Wellington and Picton Memorial, Brecon

Highlight • Historical Site

This monument in the heart of Brecon is both a memorial to Wellington and to Sir Thomas Picton, who was considered to be the most important Welsh general fighting alongside Wellington at Waterloo. Picton is the source of much discussion now in Wales with an effort to remove all of his statues due to his cruel connection to the slave trade, and in particular the torture of a 14 year old slave girl.

Tip by

3.34 km

St Mary's Church, Brecon

Highlight • Cafe

St. Mary's Church is situated in the quaint market town of Brecon within the curtilage of its town centre. It has the finest tower in all of Powys, and inside there is even a cafe; funny enough, it is called the Tower Cafe, and a very nice place it is too. The church is one of the focal points of the town.

Tip by

3.39 km