The Brecon to Hay Greenway

The Brecon to Hay Greenway

The Brecon to Hay Greenway is a charity formed by local residents, aiming to create a mainly traffic-free route between Brecon and Hay. A greenway is an inclusive route providing convenient and unimpeded access for all types of user. These users will include those walking and wheeling, as well as those riding bikes or horses.

It is envisaged that the Greenway will broadly follow the old railway line where possible.The stretch of the line that we are looking at is around 25km long and heads from Brecon through Groesffordd, Talyllyn, between Llanfihangel Talyllyn and Llangorse, just behind Trefecca up to Talgarth, before continuing to Three Cocks, Glasbury and on to Hay-on-Wye.

This area of mid-Wales is already a popular destination for cyclists, but there is very little cycling available for less confident cyclists and for families. In an age where we are trying to increase people’s activity levels and to reduce journeys taken by car, such a route would be an important step that could also be a boon to local businesses aside the route.

A mini-feasibility study of the project and route was carried out by Sustrans in January 2019. It found that much of the disused railway line is intact and, if use could be obtained, would make an excellent foundation for a walking and cycling route (with a separate spur from Talgarth already being considered).

The route could link to other existing long-distance cycle paths, such as the Taff trail and the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal. It could also give locals an opportunity to commute to school or the office by bike.

Further details on Greenway design aspects are given by Sustrans