Short Local Walks In Brecon
Dogs: Please note, if you are taking your dog for a walk please clear up after it, ask for some pedal bin liners from reception, special bins are provided on the Prom.
The Promenade
A path along the river to children’s playgrounds, and seats with views of The Beacons. There is a public footpath up the river for about 2km. Out of the hotel front door and turn left, go down the hill and cross to the main river just beyond the public car park, or cross straight over at the edge of The Castle Square, turn right at the bottom and keep going.
The Groves
A wooded valley below the Cathedral, shady and popular with dogs (the lower path can be muddy). Out of the hotel and turn right, then first left. At the end of this road turn right. Turn left at the bottom of the hill, continue 50 metres and cross the footbridge. There are lower and upper paths that link in various places, the longest loop is about 2km in total. A Nature Trail Leaflet is available from the Tourist Information Centre for this walk.
Down The River
A circular walk down the river, again, quite popular with dogs.
Out of the hotel and turn left, drop down the hill at the edge of The Castle Square. Cross the main river bridge, then cross the road towards Christ College. Follow the road next to the river; at the fork go one way or the other for a circular route back to this point.
The Crug
A strenuous walk to the top of an Iron Age hill fort overlooking Brecon, its well worth the effort for the excellent views. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the top from the hotel.
Out of the hotel front door and turn right. Take the first left continue to the end of the road and turn left towards the Cathedral. Carry on up the hill past the cathedral. At the edge of the built up area, on the left, is a rough track. Follow this track onwards and upwards, pausing occasionally to enjoy the view as it unfolds.
If you want to cheat a bit, take the car to the edge of town and park on the edge of the estate to the right just beyond the track.
Short Walks Near Brecon
On The Canal
There are several places for pleasant canal side walks.
Turn left out of the hotel car park and drop down the hill. Turn left at the bottom of the hill and go through the centre of town. At the roundabout follow the A40 towards Abergavenny but leave this road after a few hundred metres and follow signs towards Llanfrynach and Talybont.
1. Park under the dual carriageway and walk 100 metres down to the canal. Turn right for a walk with views of The Beacons, turn left for the aqueduct.
2. Continue towards Talybont, after about 2km you will see the canal museum. Pull on to the verge (left or right) just beyond this. Follow the canal up or down.
The Login
Walk as far as you like up the Beacons, or like me, stop before the steep bit!
Turn left out of the hotel car park, at the bottom of the hill turn right across the river, after about one mile take the wide turning on your left opposite The Drovers Arms.
After about one mile the road splits into three, take the middle road and drive onward, eventually you will come to a crossroads near the base of the Beacons, cross straight over (slightly to the right). Continue on this even narrower road, eventually you will reach a gate.
Beyond the gate is a car park (yes it is). From here you can follow the track onwards and upwards. It will take about one hour to reach ‘Llyn Cwm Llwch’, a small lake to the left of the main path, tucked below Corn Du and Pen Y Fan and hiding behind glacial moraines (and that’s far enough for me).
Above Talybont Reservoir
A largely level walk on the ridge above the reservoir, excellent views, good for a picnic.
Turn left out of the hotel car park and drop down the hill. Turn left at the bottom of the hill and go through the centre of town. At the roundabout follow the A40 towards Abergavenny but leave this road after a few hundred metres and follow signs towards
Llanfrynach and Talybont.
Drive through Talybont, you go under an old railway bridge, look out for a right turn after this and take it. Follow the road onward and upwards for several kilometres.
The road levels out eventually and starts to look a bit potholed, carry on! Pull into the left just before the gate across the road. If you have a more rugged vehicle you can continue beyond the gate.
Walk along this track, beyond the gate for as far as you like. It joins an old tram road that was used for carrying limestone from quarries down to the old kilns next to the canal in Talybont.
At The Head Of Talybont Reservoir
A wooded valley with a stream and a series of attractive small waterfalls. Good for a barbecue (if you are careful), a stroll, or just messing about.
Turn left out of the hotel car park and drop down the hill. Turn left at the bottom of the hill and go through the centre of town. At the roundabout follow the A40 towards Abergavenny but leave this road after a few hundred metres and follow signs towards Llanfrynach and Talybont.
When you enter Talybont take the first right over the canal and keep going. If you’ve had enough by the time you reach the reservoir, cross the dam with your car, park it and walk on the road or along the old railway line.
Keep going past the reservoirs until you reach a narrow stone bridge, after crossing the bridge, pull into the trees on the right. You can follow the path up on this side. A bridge crosses the stream a few hundred metres up from here.
If you feel brave carry on up on the right side of the stream to the base of the escarpment to look for odd remains of a plane that crashed here during the second world war.
The National Park Visitors Centre
An information centre, a cafe, a lawn for running about, level walks close by with excellent views.
Turn left out of the hotel car park and drop down the hill. Turn right at the bottom of the hill and continue to the edge of town. At the roundabout take the second exit (towards Cardiff). Continue until the next village Libanus. Just after the Mountains Nursing Home, turn right and follow the signs.
