Mon & Brec End to End: See it all

If you want to experience the whole of the Mon and Brec Canal in one narrowboat holiday, this route is the perfect option for you. Starting at the hire base in Gilwern, it’s a good idea to begin your journey down towards Pontypool. Due to the lack of locks on this stretch of canal, this is the perfect warm-up for your holiday cruise. Tumbling streams, historic remains of the mining industry and great walks away from the towpath make for a holiday that never gets boring. Once you arrive in Pontypool, you turn around and retrace your steps back towards Gilwern, where you pass the hire base and start your second leg of the journey to Brecon. There are 6 locks in total, 5 of which are a flight, set in a very idyllic woodland. The remains of an old castle in Pencelli and of course the area around Llanrynach with its vast amount of prehistoric remains are only 2 of the many highlights on the way to Brecon. In Talybont, you can take a stroll along the disused tramway line to Talybont reservoir, where you can watch the rich wildlife and have a pleasant time in the Welsh countryside. In Brecon, you can moor up in Theatre Basin, which is the perfect base for exploring Brecon. Now it’s time to start your journey back to the hire base in Gilwern.