Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Fourteen Locks to Cwmbran
Two canals used to run north and west from Newport, one to Pontypool and one to Newbridge. Both have fallen into disrepair but the towpaths are still largely intact from Crosskeys in the west past the Fourteen Locks and alongside the M4 to Barrack Hill on the edge of Newport then north to the outskirts of Cwmbran.
For such a built-up area the canal represents a fine green corridor with an excellent wide, gravel towpath and views of hills rising to over 1000 ft at its western end.
The first 11-mile section of the canal was built between 1792 and 1796 to connect Newport to Pontnewydd (north of Pontypool). The other branch was soon added, from Malpas to Crumlin (via Risca and Crosskeys). The canal was designed to connect with a large network of tramways that were built to transport limestone, coal and iron ore.
The rest of the canal, from Pontypool to Brecon, was opened in 1812. As so often happened, the canals were superseded by the railways and even by 1850 the canal network was in decline. In 1962 the network was abandoned and parts were filled in. Restoration of the section north of Pontypool has made it possible to navigate north from here to Brecon.
Natural attractions:
- Views of hills rising to 1000ft
Visitor attractions:
- Fourteen Locks Visitor Centre
Route submitted by: Sustrans
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Key route details
- Region/Area:
Newport, South Wales
- Distance:
6 miles one way
- Time needed:
2 - 3 hours
- Classification:
Easy
- Traffic:
Traffic-free
- Surface:
Gravel
- NCN Route:
National Route 47 / 49
- Start:
Fourteen Locks Visitor Centre near M4 Junction 27
- Finish:
Cwmbran
- Cycle hire:
The nearest are in Cardiff
- Access:
Train station at Newport
- Maps and guides:
-
Celtic Trail - East NN4B £5.99
- Links with:
Through Cwmbran to the Pontypool & Blaenavon railway path (National Route 492)
Through Risca and Crosskeys to Sirhowy Valley (National Route 47)
- Weather:
-
Sun
max: 16°C min: 11°C
-
Mon
max: 17°C min: 11°C
-
Tue
max: 15°C min: 12°C
-
Wed
max: 16°C min: 12°C
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