Once you carry on with your journey the canal winds through the Brecon Beacons, with the hills on one side and rolling fields and woodlands to the other. The views here give a first taste of what the Mon and Brec Canal has to offer. You will notice the quietness and isolation of this section very quickly, there are definitely no noisy roads nearby that would disrupt your peaceful holiday here. Once you get closer to Goytre Wharf, you’ll notice an increase in boat traffic. There is an interesting Heritage Centre right at the wharf. Maybe take the opportunity and fill up your water tank at the service point here as well.

After leaving the hustle and bustle of Goytre Wharf, the canal is rural and quiet again. You will pass through an impressive wood cutting before emerging into the open Brecon Beacons countryside again. All along this section is a dense network of footpaths that lead you either into the hills or the beautiful valley. You could probably spend days here without walking on the same footpath twice.

From Goytre Wharf to Abergavenny - amazing views a tranquil cycling

Carrying on, the canal starts to cling onto the hillside, sometimes the hills rise almost vertically away from the Mon and Brec Canal here. There are several horseshoe bends that lead your boat around the hills. Several times there are impressive aqueducts that carry your holiday boat over tumbling streams and reveal even more breathtaking views over the Welsh landscape.

Once you have reached the town of Abergavenny, you can moor up your boat close to the boatyard bridge and have a wander around this nice little place. Don’t miss Abergavenny Castle and a walk up to Sugar Loaf, a landmark above Abergavenny which is owned by the National Trust. Another option would be to hire some bikes and cycle the disused railway path between Govilon and Lllanfoist. The perfect start is The Cutting, which you can find by the Post Office in Llanfoist.

From Abergavenny to Crickhowell - Giant Redwood and outdoor fun

After leaving Abergavenny, the next highlight awaits you: Giant Redwood. This unusual sight is truly impressive and surely leaves you with an awe-inspiring feeling. The surroundings are flatter now than before, with trees lining the Mon and Brec Canal on this section.

Try to moor up at or close to Crickhowell. This is the perfect base for exploring the Brecon Beacons away from the canal. Caving in the hills, horse trekking, mountain biking and guided walks are all offered here.

From Crickhowell to the Llangynidr Flight of Five - lock wheeling and the Taff Trail

After leaving the exhilarating place of Crickhowell you cruise once again among the hills. After passing through the wooded Glan Usk Park, you continue your holiday cruise along the valley of Usk. Now, your first lock awaits you.

This is the first of the Llangynidr flight of five. After a bit of lock wheeling you can either take a lunch break at the moorings above the lock, or you carry on with the rest of the lock flight. The last three locks are located in the middle of the woods, which makes this experience rather pleasant. Still got some energy left? Then why not follow a part of the Taff Trail which connects Cardiff with Brecon. You can follow a short section of the trail along the towpath between bridge 126 and Cwmcrawnon. It’s also possible to extend this to a loop walk, as there are several footpaths along this stretch of the Mon and Brec Canal.

From the Flight of Five to Brecon - pre-historic sites and the end of your journey

After the lock flight another tunnel awaits you. Ashford tunnel is 375 yards long and is unlit, so make sure to switch your headlights on to enjoy the journey through the darkness.

After cruising through Talybont, there is a lift bridge which is electrically operated, so no physical exertion awaits you here. There are 3 more lift bridges over the next 3 miles, which are generally left open.

Now, the last leg of your journey to Brecon awaits you. First, the canal leads you through flat, wooded countryside and soon turns marshy. If you are interested in pre-historic sites, the settlement of Llanfrynach is perfect for you. The best way to access it from the canal is via bridge 158. There are several prehistoric remains scattered around the area. The 13th century church is also very interesting and is located within the village of Llanfrynach. If you are looking for a proper walk, Llanfrynach is also the perfect starting point for a hike up Pen-y-fan.

After this literal historic stopover more physical activity awaits you. The last lock to tackle is right behind the Brynich Aqueduct which carries boats across the River Usk. The last mile to Brecon the canal overlooks the River Usk until it reaches the outskirts of Brecon. You can cruise all the way to Theatre Basin, where you can moor up for the night and enjoy all that Brecon has on offer.