Usk Valley Walk

Usk Valley Walk

A self-guided walking holiday along the Usk Valley from Usk to Brecon.

4 to 6 nights
21-42 miles
Easy / Moderate to Easy

From £505 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

The Usk Valley Walk explores historic market towns and quaint villages as it presses north between the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains, winding through the lush green spaces of the Usk Valley between Usk and Brecon.

The trail follows the path of the Usk River to join the towpath of the Monmouth and Brecon Canal, utilising firm paths underfoot as it delves through an unspoilt landscape of rolling hills, patchwork fields and woodland between waterside inns, overlooked by the towering mountains that flank the valley.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • Usk Valley Walk
  • Usk Valley Walk Short Break
  • Usk Valley Walk - Stile-Free

About this route

4 nights
26 miles
Easy / Moderate
2nd January to 24th December

From £515 per person

Usk Valley Walk Short Break

Our Usk Valley short break is the perfect way to sample the Usk Valley Walk even if you’re short on time. Skipping the riverbank walking at the start of the full route, our short break departs the bustling market town of Abergavenny and follows the canal towpath as it meanders through tranquil woodland, with the occasional glimpse of the Black Mountains through the trees.

Several well-placed viewpoints offer breath-taking views over the valley and the encroaching mountains. The walk draws to a close at Brecon, a vibrant town with plenty of old buildings to visit, making this an excellent finishing point for your holiday.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
UVWSB From Abergavenny to Brecon 4 nights, 3 days walking Easy / Moderate £515

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
UVWSB From Abergavenny to Brecon 4 nights, 3 days walking Easy / Moderate £515

Usk Valley Walk Short Break 4 nights, 3 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
  • Holiday Highlights
Start

Travel to Abergavenny where your first night's accommodation will be booked

Day 1

Abergavenny to Crickhowell. 8 miles (13km)

Day 2

Crickhowell to Talybont-on-Usk. 10 miles (16km)

Day 3

Talybont-on-Usk to Brecon. 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Finish

Depart from Brecon after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.

Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£60.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£50.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays Usk Valley Walk Short Break map
Abergavenny to Brecon
26 miles (42 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Exploring the fascinating ancient ruins at Abergavenny before setting off on your walk.

Passing through the quaint villages of Llanfoist, Govilon, Llangynidr and many others.

Walking through pleasant woodland and enjoying the variety of colourful wild flowers and birdlife.

What's included?

  • 4 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

Abergavenny is known for its fabulous local food, and is an excellent reason why you should spend an extra night here. The Abergavenny Food Festival is an annual commemoration between culinarians and the foodies. From market stalls to open top fire food, to even foraging for your own grub, Abergavenny will never fail to get your taste buds tingling! The Norman ruins of Abergavenny Castle are also great for those keen to see history in its glorious physical form. Over the years, it has been reduced to rubble and rebuilt on many occasions due to conflict. However, the remaining walls which you now see today were rebuilt in 1233 and 1295.

The vibrant, multi-coloured town of Brecon – with its infamous glass blowing – is almost reminiscent of Venice, minus the large crowds! The bustling town of Brecon provides all the amenities you could need; a variety of outdoor shops will cater to all of your walking requirements. Why not take a break from shopping and visit “The Hours” café & bookshop? It’s a great place to relax and eat great food, with a good selection of books to choose from. Their quirky second floor also hosts a small gallery, presenting a variety of artists’ works.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 26 miles (42 km)
Duration: 4 nights, 3 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 8 miles (13 km)
Maximum daily distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Code: UVWSB Grade: Easy / Moderate
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Abergavenny
End of holiday: Brecon

Route Profile

Usk Valley Walk Short Break Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major cities and international airports are Bristol International and Rhoose-Cardiff International Airport.

By Rail - There is a station at the start of the trail at Abergavenny. The most convenient railway stations to the end of the trail (Brecon) are Merthyr Tydfil (19 miles away) or Abergavenny (20 miles away).

By Bus - Various bus services run through Abergavenny from nearby towns. Buses run from Brecon to both Merthyr Tydfil and Abergavenny .

From London - Trains run regularly from London Paddington station to Abergavenny.

Return to Start - The easiest and quickest way to return to Abergavenny from Brecon is to take a bus or taxi.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.

Customer reviews from the Usk Valley Walk Short Break

“Contours as ever up to its high standards.”
Mr McDonough, UK
“Lovely area to walk. Most of the party had never visited the area before and were impressed with the walk and the towns of Abergavenny Crickhowell Talybont-on-Usk and Brecon. The views were beautiful.”
Mr Riley, UK
“Luggage transfer worked great, accommodation was generally better than expected. Great!”
Mr Zackrisson, Sweden
“Amazing scenery to walk through.”
Mrs Allerton, UK
“A lovely walk, particularly for autumn.”
Mrs Crompton, UK
Find your holiday