Exploring the Taff Trail from the Brecon Beacons
The Taff Trail is one of South Wales’ best-known walking and cycling routes, stretching for around 55 miles between Cardiff Bay and the historic market town of Brecon. Following National Cycle Network Route 8 for much of its journey, the trail takes you through an incredibly varied landscape of rivers, reservoirs, woodland, old railway routes, canal paths and open mountain scenery. traveltrade.visitwales.com
For guests staying at Cwmdu Campsite in the Brecon Beacons, some of the most scenic sections of the Taff Trail are within easy reach of the campsite. You certainly don’t need to tackle the entire 55-mile route to enjoy it. Instead, it is easy to choose a section for a morning walk, a family cycle ride or a longer day exploring the National Park.
Joining the Taff Trail near Cwmdu Campsite
One of the closest and easiest places to access the Taff Trail from the campsite is Talybont-on-Usk, around a 20-minute drive from Cwmdu.
Talybont-on-Usk is a beautiful village sitting beside the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, surrounded by the hills and valleys of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. It makes an excellent starting point for exploring the northern end of the Taff Trail.
For those wanting to make the journey part of the adventure, another option is to cycle towards Talybont along the canal towpath from Llangynidr. The canal itself provides some wonderfully relaxed cycling, passing through peaceful countryside and offering a very different experience from the higher and more mountainous sections of the Taff Trail.
The canal route through the Usk Valley is largely traffic-free and links places including Llangynidr, Talybont-on-Usk and Brecon. traveltrade.visitwales.com
Talybont Reservoir and Torpantau
For impressive mountain scenery, head south from Talybont towards Talybont Reservoir and Torpantau.
This section of the trail feels a world away from Cardiff’s urban starting point. The landscape grows wilder as the route climbs out of the Usk Valley and into the mountains.
Talybont Reservoir is surrounded by woodland, open hills and dramatic valleys, making it one of our favourite areas of the National Park to explore.
The trail climbs above the reservoir towards Torpantau Pass, which at approximately 439 metres (1,440 feet) above sea level is the highest point of the Taff Trail. From here there are panoramic views across the surrounding Bannau Brycheiniog landscape. visitmerthyr.co.uk
On a clear day, this is one of those places where it is almost impossible not to stop for a while and simply take in the view.
The climb also means that this part of the trail is considerably more demanding than some of its lower sections. Surfaces along the complete Taff Trail vary from tarmac and towpath to gravel and forest tracks, and the northern mountain section becomes more challenging as it climbs towards Torpantau. traveltrade.visitwales.com
If you are cycling, a mountain bike, gravel bike or suitable hybrid is therefore a better choice for exploring some of these higher sections than a lightweight road bike.
Cycle from Talybont-on-Usk towards Brecon
For a gentler day out, head in the opposite direction from Talybont towards Llanfrynach and Brecon.
The northern end of the Taff Trail leads through the beautiful countryside of the Usk Valley before eventually reaching Brecon, the beginning or end of the full route depending on which direction you are travelling.
Brecon makes a particularly good destination because you can combine cycling or walking with exploring the town itself. There are plenty of places to stop for coffee or lunch before making the return journey.
Visitors who don’t want to cover a large distance can simply ride or walk part of the route before turning around. That flexibility is one of the things we love about the Taff Trail.
A trail for much more than long-distance cyclists
Although completing the entire Cardiff to Brecon Taff Trail is an adventure in its own right, you certainly don’t need to be a serious long-distance cyclist to enjoy it.
Much of the route follows former railway lines, riverside paths and other relatively gentle routes. Official visitor information describes much of the trail as gentle and traffic-free, although the terrain becomes noticeably more challenging north of Merthyr Tydfil as the trail heads into the mountains. traveltrade.visitwales.com
That makes the Brecon end of the trail particularly versatile. Depending on your ability and how adventurous you are feeling, you could enjoy anything from a relaxed family ride to a full day exploring the higher trails around the reservoirs.
Explore more of the Brecon Beacons by bike
One of the real joys of the Taff Trail is that it doesn’t have to be treated as a single route.
Instead, it can act as a backbone for a much bigger adventure.
From the trail you can branch off towards forests, reservoirs, mountain tracks, villages and the canal, creating your own circular routes before eventually joining the Taff Trail again.
The landscape also changes enormously over relatively short distances. You can find yourself cycling alongside the peaceful canal in the morning before climbing high above Talybont Reservoir later the same day.
For visitors staying with us who enjoy cycling, walking and exploring the outdoors, this network of trails is one of the great advantages of camping in the Brecon Beacons.
Staying near the Taff Trail
Cwmdu Campsite makes a great base for exploring the Taff Trail and the wider eastern side of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
From the campsite you can easily reach Talybont-on-Usk, Llangynidr, Brecon and numerous walking and cycling routes throughout the surrounding countryside.
And after a day spent cycling around reservoirs or climbing through the hills, you can return to the campsite, put your feet up and start planning where to explore next.
Whether you want a gentle ride beside the canal, a family cycling adventure or a challenging day heading towards the high point at Torpantau, the Taff Trail near Brecon offers something for almost every kind of outdoor adventure.
Additional Information
For further information about Cwmdu Campsite in Wales, please visit our Home Page
To check availability for this season, please fill in a booking form here.
For information on prices, visit our tariffs page. Click here.
For more information regarding our Glamping Pods, please visit our site here.
HOLIDAY COTTAGES INFORMATION
4* Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages in the Brecon Beacons, 4 miles from Crickhowell and all within 50 yards of Cwmdu Campsite.
We have 2 cosy cottages available to book:
- Efail Isaf – ‘Old Smithy’ – Sleeps 6 in three bedrooms. Cosy cottage with log burner and picturesque garden and panoramic views of the National Park. Infant facilities are available.
- Efail Bach – ‘Little Smithy’ – One-bed cottage with large shower and separate large bath. Fantastic views from the bedroom, living room and garden. BBQ included. Infant facilities are available.
Click Here for more information or to book a Cwmdu Holiday Cottage stay with us!
FIRE AND ICE INFORMATION
Imagine a Fire & Ice experience like no other! Rest and rejuvenate peacefully in a Nordic wood-fired Sauna & Ice bath with a Scenic mountain view looking out across the Welsh Brecon Beacons National Park, also known as (Bannau Brycheiniog).
Guests can visit in many ways: camp or Glamp at Cwmdu Campsite, stay in one of our four Holiday Cottages, or stop by for an independent session.
