Bridge over the Montgomery Canal, October 2015

We drive from our lodgings in Knighton along a valley parallel to the border with England and it's a little more than half an hour to Newtown, which makes an initial impression of a functional and unattractive town but serves the purpose of parking our car so we can take the bus to Garthmyl, the start of our walk.

The trail begins at the Nag's Head, Garthmyl where the canal seems to spring from the earth and we follow the line of the Montgomery Canal back into Newtown. Perhaps half of its nine mile length is in water, becoming increasingly weedy as we continue south, until it has dried up completely. The towpath is in excellent condition, forming as it does part of The Severn Way. The canal provides good opportunities for photography, too.

There are swing bridges which have lain unused since 1936 when the 35 mile canal became disused and an improved road replaced the old hump back bridge and lowered the headroom of the canal for all except canoeists with short necks - and they use portage at certain places.

Other bridges are interesting, including a dramatic iron bridge at Abermule emblazoned with the message "The Second Iron Bridge to be built in Montgomeryshire 1852".

and locks, warehouses and canal cottages (Brynderwen Wharf cottage below) remain.

And it is at Abermule that we enjoy a very good lunch and courteous service at The Abermule.

Then it's back across the iron bridge and along The Montgomery, increasingly choked with weeds then entirely dry. This almost flat towpath walk is easy and interesting, perfect for a family Sunday.

Will the canal ever be joined up and passable for its whole length? Wikipedia has lots of detail, and Pete's Montgomery Website has more. The Inland Waterways Association gives a useful brief summary. For now, this is a fine towpath and walk but we don't foresee our narrow boat, Patience, trundling along anytime soon.

Welsh Map.