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Usk Valley Walk Guided Trail

Early Booking Offer

■ Location: Brecon Beacons

■ Duration: 7 nights

■ Board Basis: Full Board

■ Travel Dates: Jul 2027

■ Itineraries available: 1

■ Choice of Walking Grade: 6 details

Non-members From

£1,129

pp

Members From

£1,099

pp

Members Save £30 on this booking and get a whole range of extra exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. details

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
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Join us as we explore the picturesque Usk Valley, a land rich in both natural beauty and history. We begin our journey by visiting Caerleon’s ancient Roman Fort of Isca before continuing to Usk where we begin the Usk Valley walk. Together, we’ll follow quiet paths through peaceful woodlands and walk along the tranquil banks of the Usk River. We’ll also explore the stunning landscapes of Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog), returning each day to the welcoming comforts of Nythfa House, our country property in the historic town of Brecon

Walking grades

From September 2026, we have expanded our walking grade scale from 6 to 10 points. While the holidays themselves have not changed (the routes, daily distances and ascent levels remain the same), our newly expanded 1-10 scale offers greater distinction between holidays and clearer grade descriptions, so you can choose a holiday that best suits you.

Moderate walking grade 6

Moderate walking grade 6

Longer full day walks with more ascent and varied terrain. Good fitness and agility are needed. Typically, 9-10 miles (15-16km) with around 1,500ft (460m) of ascent.

What You’ll Love

  • Exploring the Usk Valley, a green artery through the Brecon Beacons
  • Walking alongside the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
  • Exploring Isca Roman Fort and learning about the history of Roman Britain
  • The characterful villages of Usk and Brecon
  • Relaxing at Nythfa House on the edge of the market town of Brecon
  • A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 15 people in 2026 and 16 people in 2027)

What's Included

  • Comfortable en-suite rooms in our country house
  • Cream tea on arrival day
  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
  • Daily packed lunches
  • Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
  • Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
  • All transport to and from walks where necessary 

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Guided Trail

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Our first full day sees us head to Caerleon where we’ll explore the impressive ruins of the Isca Roman fort with amphitheatre and baths.

We’ll then start our walk proper at the market town of Usk. We stay near the river on a pastoral, slightly undulating route, initially on the west bank, then cross the waters and walk on the east bank to Clytha Park, a classic 18th Century landscaped park owned by the National Trust.

7.5 miles (12.5km) with 650 feet (200m) of ascent

This morning, we’ll leave Clytha Park and head west through meadows to Bryn village and on to Llanellen. After a little ascent we follow the Monmouth and Brecon canal contouring the side of the valley with views of the Skirrids, Sugar Loaf and the Black Mountains beyond. We leave the canal and descend through Llanfoist, with a further stretch beside the river, to the busy town of Abergavenny, known as the Gateway to Wales.

9.5 miles (15.5km) with 750 feet (220m) of ascent

Discover more about Nythfa House and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.

Rested and refreshed after our free day, we set off once again, heading west beside the river. Ascending to the canal, we enjoy fine views as the Usk valley narrows and the scenery becomes more mountainous. We continue to Llangattock with its impressive lime kilns and tramroad terminus then walk down through the village and cross the bridge into the historic town of Crickhowell.

9.5 miles (15.5km) with 1,000 feet (300m) of ascent

Leaving Llangattock we ascend to the south through pastures and woodland with fine views of the valley below Table Mountain. We then rejoin the canal passing through Llangynidr, before a steep ascent brings us over a shoulder with stunning views down to the Talybont Reservoir. We drop down to follow an old tramway path to finish in Talybont-on-Usk. A slightly harder day but well worth it for the views.

11 miles (17.5km) with 1,850 feet (560m) of ascent

Please note this walk is +1 grade higher than the overall grade of the holiday as a whole.

On our final day, we cross the former Brecon to Merthyr railway line and ascend on field paths to the edge of the Talybont forest, enjoying far reaching views. We return to the canal towpath at Pencelli, and easy walking brings us to the aqueduct which takes the canal across the River Usk. We pass the final lock and soon we reach the outskirts of Brecon town. The canal and our walk comes to an end in the attractive theatre basin. From there it is a simple walk back to the house.


9 miles/14.5km, 310m/1000ft

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

View all

Accommodation

More Information

We try to create a relaxed atmosphere on the walk but please listen to safety instructions from your leader.

Keep members of the group in view especially when weather or visibility is poor. If you leave the group, then your leader will no longer have responsibility for you. Our leaders consider the safety of the group as a whole and are likely to be more cautious over potential risks such as bad weather.

The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next.  To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip  
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket 
  • Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)  
  • Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
  • Waterproof overtrousers  
  • Gloves and a warm hat  
  • Rucksack with waterproof liner 
  • Flask for hot drinks   
  • Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)  
  • Sunscreen  
  • UV sunglasses  

For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:

  • spare warm clothing
  • spare high energy food
  • head torch and spare batteries
  • please note for the October to March season your waterproof jacket needs to offer a high level of waterproofing and wind resistance, and a hood. Look for a waterproof jacket with sealed/taped seams and a minimum HH (hyrodstatic head - this is the rating given on waterproof jackets) of 10,000mm+

Recommended  

  • Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)  
  • Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters  
  • First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent and tick remover tool
  • Sit mat   
  • Waterproof pouch for valuables  
  • Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)  
  • Wallet/purse  
  • Camera
  • Walking poles

Our experienced and knowledgeable volunteer leaders undergo a thorough assessment to lead you on your holiday and are delighted to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with you. Please ensure you complete and hand in your registration form on arrival and let the leader know about any medical problems you may have. This may be useful in the event of a problem on the walk and will be treated confidentially by the leader.

In The Event Of A Problem

If you become separated from your group, please stay where you are. Your leader will retrace their steps to find you.

All our leaders carry a mobile phone, group shelter, spare maps and a compass. In the unlikely event your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call the emergency services (call 999 in the UK, or 112 overseas).

Please then try to call the hotel where you are staying to let them know there is a problem.

If you have any cause for complaints regarding accommodation, you should notify your leader who can then attempt to rectify the problem.

Ticks

Ticks are tiny creatures that live in vegetation and can attach themselves to passing animals or walkers and may carry a risk of Lyme Disease. Please refer to NHS advice and guidelines for information prior to your holiday.

Carbon Footprint

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

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Dates & availability

Usk Valley Walk Guided Trail

Members save an additional £30 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. Read more about membership

2027

Early Booking Offer Save £200 Per Person

16 Jul - 23 Jul 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,329 £1,129

pp

Members

£1,299 £1,099

pp
Single rooms

£1,399 £1,199

pp

£1,369 £1,169

pp
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Flexible choice of guided walks

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If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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