Swansea and Neath
The Swansea Canal
Surviving stretch of towpath along the Tawe, level and traffic-free, through a valley that was once solid with tinplate and nickel works.
- Distance
- 3.7 mi / 6 km
- Time
- 1 hr 55
- Ascent
- 30 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 north or south from Clydach for as long as it holds your interest. Flat and surfaced throughout.
Worth knowing
- About five miles of the original sixteen survive in water and are being restored further.
- The Mond nickel works at Clydach was the largest of its kind in the world.
- Level and firm, so a reliable wet weather option.
What you’ll see
Locks and bridges, the Tawe alongside, and the valley sides above.
Background
The canal opened in 1798 to carry coal and iron down the Tawe. Rail competition killed it and it closed to traffic in 1931.