Usk Reservoir Loop: A Scenic Forest Walk Beneath the Black Mountain

Join me for a stunning 6-mile loop around the Usk Reservoir, tucked away on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. This remote 280-acre body of water sits beneath the dramatic Black Mountain and is surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Glasfynnedd Forest. Our route follows good forest tracks and lakeside paths, offering far-reaching views across the water to the Black Mountains and plenty of moments to enjoy the reservoir’s serene atmosphere.

Built in the 1950s — and home to the UK’s first earth dam with horizontal drainage blankets — the Usk Reservoir is now part of Welsh Water’s landscape and managed for public enjoyment by Natural Resources Wales. It’s a wonderfully accessible place to walk: long enough for experienced hikers to stretch their legs before the festive season, yet gentle and undemanding, with no steep climbs, making it equally ideal for those wanting a relaxed weekend…