Exploring the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal by SUP

There are few places in the UK where you can paddle straight from post‑industrial heritage into the wild edges of a national park, but the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is one of them. With approximately 36 miles of navigable water, this waterway quietly rewards anyone willing to explore it by paddleboard. Kris Roach highlights the key sections to explore and offers practical guidance on planning a trip.

We love exploring all of the canal, with particular highlights including Brynich Aqueduct and the views of Pen y Fan from the water as you paddle toward the villages of Pencelli and Talybont. Both offer brilliant waterside independent pubs and cafés that are perfect for refuelling. There’s even the 343‑metre Ashford Tunnel to paddle through.

However, our favourite and most regular paddle starts at Five Locks. From here, you’ll pass through Cwmbran Tunnel, where darkness closes in and the sound of each paddle stroke echoes off the stone walls. A head torch is essential, and it’s a brilliant experience. You’ll then be greeted by friendly locals along the towpath and even find a great waterside pub, The Open Hearth. After this, you paddle toward the basin, a great spot for a break before crossing over the Pontymoile Aqueduct.

For me, this section is a real hidden gem. There’s very little traffic on the water, and although the canal passes through an urban area, the views are stunning. This stretch of the canal also boasts fantastic wildlife.

For those looking to paddle further, you could plan a multi‑day adventure—maybe even complete all 36 miles, linking days on the water with canal-side campsites.

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is perfect to explore by SUP. You can cover distance at your own pace, go solo, or plan a weekend with friends and family. Just remember you’ll need a valid Paddle UK licence, so check out GoPaddle.com (Canal and River Trust) to plan your trip.