Gilwern combines walks along the canal with striking structures and a regional industrial history. The towpath, the 24 m-high Gilwern Embankment and the transport of finished iron offer different perspectives on the town. If you would also like to explore a wooded gorge, there are three walking trails that start at the Clydach Ironworks site nearby.

Canal and industrial history

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal runs through Gilwern; you can walk along its towpath. Construction of the Brecon Canal began near the town in 1796, providing a specific point of reference for the canal’s history. The 24 m-high Gilwern Embankment carries the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal across Clydach Gorge; the height gives a sense of the scale of this crossing. At the northern end of the embankment is a tunnel that leads to the Glangrwyne section of the Clydach Railroad. While the towpath offers a walk by the water, the embankment and tunnel illustrate different construction challenges associated with the canal and railway.

The horse tramroads of Clydach Ironworks transported finished iron to the canal at Gilwern. This adds a specific goods route to the story of construction: the focus is not only on how transport routes were built, but also on how a product reached the canal. The embankment and tunnel represent built infrastructure, while the horse tramroads illustrate a specific transport task. This allows you to explore the town’s history through both its structures and the movement of goods.

Walking in Clydach Gorge

Clydach Gorge is a wooded gorge formed by the River Clydach. Three walking trails for exploring the gorge each start at the Clydach Ironworks site. Nearby, you can visit the remains of Clydach Ironworks; there is parking and a picnic area on site. The historical connections are specific: the ironworks are not only visible as ruins, but are also linked to the canal through the transport of finished iron. Check the condition of the facilities before your visit.

When choosing what to focus on, consider the difference between the canal and the gorge: the towpath follows the canal through Gilwern, while the three walking trails start at the Ironworks site and are for exploring the wooded gorge. You can decide whether you would rather walk by the water or explore the gorge landscape. The two options differ in both their subject and starting point.

Picnics and accessibility

In April 2025, improvements to the paths and a wheelchair-accessible picnic area upgraded Gilwern’s picnic area. An upgraded path in Gilwern is paved and offers better year-round accessibility. If these features are important for your visit, check the accessibility features and the current condition of the path before setting out; its physical condition may change.

Discover more destinations: Llandogo, Skenfrith, Govilon, Penperlleni, Llanarth, Chepstow, Abergavenny, Portskewett

For the broader travel overview: Monmouthshire.