Day two of the Brecon Beacons Super Challenge walk
Day two of this Mark Rowe Super Challenge sees you walking mainly on the flat along the 200-year-old Monmouth and Brecon canal from Talybont on Usk to Abergavenny. Overland at the Ashford Tunnel and descending beside the five locks at Llanginydr, the scenery you pass is fantastic.
Map
Start:
Talybont on Usk, grid ref: SO115225
1
From Talybont on Usk, follow the canal towpath south-east - walking overground at the Ashford tunnel and passing the five locks en route to Llangynider.
Ashford Tunnel
The 1,125ft (343m)-long Ashford tunnel is only wide enough for one canal boat and has no towpath through it. The towing horse would have been led over the hill and the boat would be poled or 'legged' through the tunnel by men pushing against the walls.
2
Continue to follow the towpath/Usk Valley walk towards Dardy, staying by the canal side.
3
Pass to south of Llangattock to reach Gilwern. Along this stretch, the Sugarloaf Mountain comes into view.
Llangatock lime kilns
The four kilns in a massive bank adjacent to the canal at Llangatock. It is thought the lime-burning continued here until the mid-1920s, albeit on a small scale by that time.
4
At Gilwern, cross the road to pick up the canal path east once more theres no need to leave the path since it winds through the gyratory systems and a complex of A-roads east of Gilwern.
5
Continue east as the path winds around Govilon. Pass the White House (down to your left) to reach the Boat Houses (SO285130).
Llanwenarth Baptist church
Llanwenarth Baptist church was founded in 1652 and is the oldest Baptist Fellowship in Wales. The church in Govilon was built in 1695 and has an outdoor baptistry in the churchyard. The water was supplied from the canal that runs alongside.
6
Follow the path north and downhill. Cross Llanfoist crossing and continue ahead, signposted for garden centre. Go through a metal gate and follow the footpath under A465. Bear right to reach (and cross) Usk Bridge and near half-right across Castle Meadows, to reach Abergavenny town centre.
End:
Abergavenny, grid ref: SO298143
