Lakes and waterways in the Brecon Beacons National Park

  • Enjoy serene wildlife-watching at Llangorse Lake
  • Feel the energy of our rivers
  • Visit our reservoirs, where engineering and nature combine
  • Relax on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
  • Spot our charismatic native wildlife

Water is a living, moving part of the Brecon Beacons landscape. It shapes our hills and valleys, gives life to our flora and fauna, freshens the air and creates wide open spaces for us to enjoy.

Within our Park, we have gushing streams, 140 miles of rivers, 35 miles of canal, nine reservoirs and Wales’ largest natural lake. Fed by a plentiful supply of rain, our waters are perfect for outdoor activities.

You could hire a boat, cycle along a towpath, make a wish beside a waterfall, watch birds or picnic in a lakeside meadow full of butterflies and wildflowers. Or, for something a little more full on, how about dinghy racing, windsurfing or white water kayaking? To find out more, visit our section on Things to do.

The banks of Llangorse Lake and Talybont Reservoir are lovely for a stroll and riverside spots like Craig-y-Nos Country Park, The Warren in Hay-on-Wye and Bullpit Meadows in Crickhowell are thoroughly pleasant places to relax beside the water.

Wherever you go, please help look after the National Park and its wildlife and respect other people's enjoyment too, by following the Country Code on land, and the Waterways Code on the water. For details, please visit our Be prepared section.

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