Region: Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) — South Wales, UK
Places To Stay: Handy bases are Merthyr Tydfil (10–15 mins drive) or Brecon for a classic market-town feel. Both put you close to Pontsticill and other Beacons walks. The Bannau Brycheiniog have a great selection of places to stay, browse them here. Looking for more South Wales trails? See my Wales Hiking Guides page for all routes.
Staying overnight? Check my guide to the Best Places To Stay in the Brecon Beacons
Below are a few ideas for day tours and transfers around the Brecon Beacons, with GetYourGuide offering easy booking + see more here.
For a wider choice of stays in South Wales, Booking.com has loads of options.
This one’s a cracking 5-mile loop around Pontsticill Reservoir (Taf Fechan). You start from a small car park on the west side, nip across the dam straight away, and follow the lakeside path around to the bell-mouth spillway at the south end of the reservoir. From there it’s onto the Taff Trail through the woods on the west side, back to the car. Nothing technical, but big water views, easy paths, and a couple of high quality picture moments on the dams.
Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map
- Start/Finish: Small car park on the west side of Taf Fechan (near Pontsticill dam) → cross dam → lakeside paths → cross northern dam/spillway → Taff Trail on west side → car park.
- Transport: 10–15 mins from Merthyr Tydfil by car. Trains to Merthyr, then local taxi/bus to Pontsticill (check current timetables).
- GPX: Download the GPX file here.
- Route Finder: Follow this route on my Outdooractive profile.
Travel Data: I use eSIMs to stay connected — quick setup and no roaming faff. Sim Local has been solid in the UK and Europe with good prices and coverage. Read my review here.
Hike Profile
- Distance: ~5 miles / 8 km.
- Duration: 2–3 hours with photo stops.
- Ascent/Descent: ~70 m.
- Highest Point: Low rolling woodland above the west shore (~390 m).
- Difficulty: Easy–Moderate — firm tracks, some roots/mud after rain, two dam crossings.
- Terrain: Reservoir paths, forest tracks (Taff Trail / NCN 8), short road/firm surfaces on dams.
Route Overview (Clockwise from West-Side Car Park)
| Section | From → To | Trail/Signs | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Car park (W side) → Pontsticill Dam | Reservoir path | 0.2–0.3 mi | Warm-up stroll to the dam — great first view. |
| 2 | Cross Dam → East Shore Path | Waymarked lakeside | 1.5–1.8 mi | Easy going, occasional muddy bits after rain; lovely water outlooks. |
| 3 | East Shore → Northern Dam & Spillway | Reservoir road/path | 0.5–0.7 mi | Cross the second dam & pass the bell-mouth spillway — the “money shot”. |
| 4 | Spillway → West-Side Woods (Taff Trail) | Taff Trail / NCN 8 | 1.6–1.8 mi | Shaded forest track with rolling ups/downs; good underfoot. |
| 5 | West-Side Trail → Car Park | Waymarks back | 0.5–0.7 mi | Peeks through the trees and final views over the water. |
Hike Description
I love it when you arrive and you are straight into beautiful views: from the little car park on the west side it’s a short stroll onto the dam. The water stretches out beautifully on a still day, and if there’s a breeze you’ll get that rippling, glassy look. Cross over and pick up the obvious lakeside path heading north on the east shore.
The track rolls gently, sometimes close to the water, sometimes in the trees. Nothing tricky, just keep the reservoir on your right and enjoy the views. As you curl around towards the south end you’ll reach the second dam and the bell-mouth spillway, it’s one of those oddly mesmerising bits of engineering and a brilliant photo stop. We stopped here just off the road and had a coffee break and I always have to have a danish pastry with me, doesn’t seem right otherwise.
Cross the dam, then swing south onto the Taff Trail (NCN 8) on the west side. This is proper easy walking, a good forest track with the odd undulation to keep the legs honest. You’ll get little windows back across the water and the hills beyond. The trail drops you neatly back towards the car park to close the loop.
Staying overnight? Check my guide to the Best Places To Stay in the Brecon Beacons
Places to Stay in South Wales – My Picks
Whether you want a simple crash pad after a day on the trails or a comfy base for a weekend of walking, these lists help narrow it down.
Places to Stay near Pontsticill
For a wider choice across South Wales, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse.
Nant Ddu is surrounded by picturesque mountains, beautiful hills, and grassy moorland. There are a number of country walks, and guests can fish in the nearby reservoirs.
This adults-only guest house offers 5-star townhouse accommodation in Brecon, within the Brecon Beacons National Park.
AllTrails: Trail Guides & Maps for Hiking, Camping, and Running | AllTrails ‘Plus’ 30% OFF – Read my ‘Full Review‘ for more details.
Staying overnight? Check my guide to the Best Places To Stay in the Brecon Beacons
Practicalities
- Season: Year-round. After heavy rain expect puddles/mud and a lively spillway.
- Footwear: Grippy trail shoes/boots; waterproofs recommended in changeable weather.
- Water & food: No hut — carry snacks/water. Cafés/pubs in Pontsticill or Merthyr.
- Weather: Can be breezy/exposed on the dams; layers help.
- Direction: Clockwise gives the first dam early and finishes with easy woodland back to the car.
Pontsticill Reservoir FAQ
How far is the walk?
Just over 5 miles (about 8–9 km) as a clockwise loop.
How long will it take?
Roughly 2–3 hours with photo stops on the dams/spillway.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes — mostly firm tracks with gentle gradients. Watch for puddles after rain.
Where do I park?
Small car park on the west side of the reservoir near the dam (limited spaces; arrive early on weekends).
Can I bring the dog?
Yes — on a lead, especially on the dams and near livestock.
Is there much ascent?
Not a lot — expect ~150 m spread across the loop.
Any tricky or exposed bits?
No exposure. Surfaces can be wet/slippery on dams and roots after rain.
Can I shorten the loop?
You can do an out-and-back to either dam if time’s tight.
Are there toilets or cafés?
None on the loop. Try Pontsticill village or Merthyr for facilities/food.
Is the spillway always flowing?
Not always — it depends on recent rainfall and reservoir level.
Walk this route yourself in 3D!
The video is a 3D walkthrough of this route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the path.
I’ve created 3D videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.
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