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Pontsticill Reservoir – Talybont Reservoir loop from Blaenavon

Pontsticill Reservoir – Talybont Reservoir loop from Blaenavon

Hard

riders

Pontsticill Reservoir – Talybont Reservoir loop from Blaenavon

06:32

109km

1,140m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 12, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 11.2 km for 150 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

11.2 km

Beaufort Hill Ponds & Woodlands

Nature Reserve

29.7 km

Pontsticill Reservoir Dam and Tower

Highlight • Structure

This reservoir is located in the breathtaking Brecon Beacons of Wales. It is part of a series of reservoirs within the Taff Fechan Valley and was constructed between 1923 and 1927 to supply water to the South Wales Valleys and Cardiff. It's a gorgeous location to enjoy some time out in nature and features walking trails, woodland and lovely surrounding views.

Tip by

33.1 km

Viewpoint

34.5 km

Pontsticill Reservoir

Highlight • Structure

Built in 1927, the Pontsticill Reservoir is a large reservoir in the Brecon Beacons National Park that can hold 3400 million gallons (14,460 million liters) of water. The beautiful reservoir is popular with sailors, anglers, picnickers, as well as walkers and cyclists. The Taff Trail runs on the western side of the reservoir.

Tip by

36.2 km

Taf Fechan Forest

Forest

47.3 km

Talybont Reservoir

Highlight • Structure

Talybont Reservoir is a pretty epic lake nestled amongst the Beacons. The cycling trail around the east side of the lake is pretty bumpy, so if you’re on a road bike, it’s best to stick to the road along the west side.

Tip by

49.3 km

Talybont Reservoir

Highlight • Structure

The largest reservoir in the Brecons, Talybont reservoir was completed in 1939. It supplies water to Newport, further south.

Seventeen dwellings (including farms) were co-opted during its construction.

Despite its man-made nature, it's a very pleasant place to spend some time.

Tip by

52.1 km

Talybont-on-Usk Canal Drawbridge

Highlight • Historical Site

A wooden drawbridge carried the road over the canal and was replaced by a fixed bridge after navigation on the canal ceased in the 1930s.

Before the canal reopened to boats in 1970, a steel drawbridge with an electric operating mechanism was installed.

There are four other drawbridges along the canal to the west. They are for farmers to access fields and are less elaborate than the one at Talybont. Drawbridges saved the canal company the expense of building stone bridges over the canal at these locations.

Tip by

65.8 km

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Stone Bridge

Highlight (Segment) • Structure

Great surface and route from Gilwerm through to Llangattock on the towpath alongside the canal. There are plenty of hillier ways to do it, of course, but none of them are quite as fast!

Tip by

77.7 km

Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal

Highlight • River

Wow! Leaving Newport I was already very impressed by the start of my tour over the Monmouthshire Canal and then this; the path along the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal is a real highlight!

You ride on a narrow dirt-trail along the calm waters, idyllically framed by shady, old fairy tale trees. The trail tapers regularly as it passes under any of the numerous bridges, all of which are numbered.

I rode here during the week and I hardly met anyone. I'd imagine it'll be busier at the weekend though!

Tip by

94.1 km

Pontymoile Basin

Highlight • Rest Area

Pontymoile Basin, was originally a toll point where the canal narrows as it approaches the large area expanse of water used for turning narrowboats and filling up with water.

Tip by

109 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

36.5 km

35.8 km

18.4 km

13.2 km

5.01 km

105 m

Surfaces

31.7 km

30.7 km

22.1 km

21.2 km

3.09 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (440 m)

Lowest point (90 m)

Weather

Monday 13 July

27°C

12°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Pontsticill Reservoir – Talybont Reservoir loop from Blaenavon

Pontsticill Reservoir Dam and Tower

Pontsticill Reservoir

Talybont Reservoir

Talybont Reservoir

Talybont-on-Usk Canal Drawbridge

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Stone Bridge

Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal

Pontymoile Basin

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