Swansea and Neath
The Neath Canal at Resolven
A restored stretch of canal in the upper Vale of Neath, level and traffic-free with wooded valley sides above.
- Distance
- 3.4 mi / 5.5 km
- Time
- 1 hr 45
- Ascent
- 40 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Shape
- There and back
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
Follow the towpath in either direction from the basin. Flat and surfaced.
Worth knowing
- The canal here has been restored and holds water for several miles.
- Melincourt Falls are a short walk from the towpath.
- Level and firm, so reliable in poor weather.
What you’ll see
The canal and its locks, the wooded valley sides, and the Neath river alongside.
Background
The Neath Canal opened in 1795 and ran thirteen miles from Glynneath to the sea, carrying coal and iron.