How to get there - From Brecon: Take the A40 East Signposted Abergavenny. After 1 mile turn onto the B4558 Signposted Pencelli and follow the brown caravan and tent signs. As you pass through the village Pencelli Castle is the last place and is signposted on the left.
From Abergavenny: Take A40 towards Brecon. 6 miles from Brecon turn left for Talybont On Usk. In the village, at the T junction, turn right. Pencelli Castle is the first place on the right in the next village in 2 miles.
Suggested Launch Site - If staying at Pencelli Castle camp site, you can launch into the canal from the bank below the Meadow. I believe there is a slipway beside one of the bridges in Pencelli village, but we've always paddled from the camp site.
General
Description - The canal has several lift bridges - to avoid portages, a winding handle, (lock windlass) will be needed to raise them (unless you are agile enough to "limbo" underneath!). The canal follows the contours of the valley side, and the River Usk is never far away. As you approach Brynich, the canal is carried over the Usk on a stone aquaduct. On the left before the road bridge and lock is a picnic area with wooden benches. You can extend this paddle by passing through Brynich Lock, and carrying on another 2 miles to the Theatre Basin in Brecon (see map). You'll find further details in the Nicholson Guide to the Waterways for Four Counties & the Welsh Canals.
Comments on this trip
Keith 26 Mar 2008
Following a major breach, the canal south of here is likely to be closed to navigation throughout 2008. This trip, however, is not affected.
