Top 10 Dog Walks around Brecon

Our top 10 dog walks around the Brecon area!

• Walk #1 Priory Groves

Priory Groves is a mixed woodland, bordering the Honddu river, with oak, beech, hazel and alder trees. It’s located behind Brecon Cathedral and is easily accessible from the town centre. Whatever the time of year there are always birds to see and in spring and early summer there is a good display of wild flowers. There are various different routes for a longer or shorter walk, as well as opportunities for your dog to have a dip in the river!

• Walk #2 Llangorse Lake

Llangorse Lake is Wales’ largest natural lake. The walk around the lake is about 4 miles. Llangorse itself is surrounded by green hills, meadows, fields and hedgerows and is a lovely spot to walk, sail or paddle. There’s local history to explore as well. The Crannog near the northwest shore was home to a local king over 1,000 years ago!

• Walk #3 Talybont Waterfall (Blaen y Glyn)

This walk visits a series of stunning waterfalls on the River Caerfanell near the reservoir in Talybont. You’ll follow woodland paths and come across several beautiful falls for you to enjoy. If you want to make the walk longer, you can pick up the Taff Trail. It’s a lovely spot for a picnic and you can even have a dip in the waterfalls if the weather is warm enough.

• Walk #4 Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal

Once an important transport route, the canal is now a fantastic place for a walk. From the Brecon Basin, you can walk for just under three miles to the first lock at Brynich where you can watch the canal boats going through the lock. The colours of the walk are at their best during the autumn but it’s also a very pretty spring walk.

• Walk #5 Pen-y-Crug

This is a very popular walk with local residents who call it “The Crug” (pronounced creeg). The slope is moderate and once at the top, you can enjoy expansive views over the Breconshire countryside. The summit is one of a series of iron age hill forts along the Usk Valley.

• Walk #6 Elan Valley

The dams, resevoirs and 73 mile aqueduct of the Elan Valley were built 100 years ago to supply clean water to Birmingham. At the time, it was an epic feat of civil engineering, set within an area of outstanding scenic beauty. There is something for everyone here, whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike. There is open access over much of the 70 square mile estate. The Elan Valley Trail is a firm favourite for walkers, with its surfaced paths which follow the route of the old Elan Valley Railway.

• Walk #7 The Promenade

Known as “Brecon Beach”, this is a great walk if you’re looking for a leisurely stroll in Brecon. The promenade runs along the river Usk, has plenty of places to sit and look at the beautiful views and there is even a small café selling coffees and ice creams. You can make the walk as short or as long as you like.

• Walk #8 Ystrafellte Four Waterfalls Walk

This trail is just over 7km and is an out and back trail. It has stunning scenery and access to four waterfalls near Ystradfellte. The trail can sometimes be steep but it is breathtakingly beautiful. Each waterfall is impressive but the best is saved for last at Sgwd-yr-Eira. If you’re feeling brave, you can walk behind the cascade!

• Walk #9 Buckland Hill

Situated just outside the village of Bwlch, Buckland Hill is a low hill providing amazing panoramic views down the Usk Valley and across to the Black Mountains. The summit is at 316m above sea level. This is a family friendly walk, although you may need to keep your dog on the lead if there are wild ponies at the top.

• Walk #10 Pen-y-Fan

Pen-y-Fan is the highest peak in South Wales. From the summit on a clear day you can see the Bristol Channel, Swansea Bay, Carmarthen Bay, the Black Mountains, the Gower, Exmoor, the Cambrian Mountains and much of Mid Wales and the South Wales Valleys. You can park at the Storey Arms visitor centre and climb Pen-y-Fan from there. You can head off on a 4 mile circular walk, starting at about 440m and rising to 886. It’s a very manageable climb with amazing views from the summit.