"Crickhowell is hosting its very first Walking Festival, starting on St David's Day with a feast of walks for people of all ages and abilities right through to the following weekend, 9th March.

The walking programme is collaboration between the Brecon Beacons Park Society, who provide walks throughout the whole year in the National Park, and "Promote Crickhowell", an alliance of local tourism operators.

Also involved is the local RAF establishment ,who are leading walks as well as providing Adventure Days for children, the local arts group, Arts Alive and the Crickhowell History Society.

The walks range from tough 8 hour hikes across the tops of the Black Mountains, through to easier walks on lower slopes or around the town of Crickhowell. There are a number of special interest walks, where the emphasis is more on the subject matter than the walking.

These include, Historical Walks, Welsh Learners Walks, a Poetry Walk and a Landscape Painting Walk. For children there is a Tiny Tots walk - bring a push chair, your Mum or Dad and a teddy - and also accessible walks, designed for those with walking difficulties or in wheelchairs.

You are sure to be able to find something to suit you there and to get out and see the wonderful hills and valleys around Crickhowell. Full details of the walks can be found at . Booking recommended.

Shopping, eating and entertainment are not forgotten, either! There is a local Crafts and Food Fair on 1st March, featuring many of the specialist producers in the area and the same evening there is a Twmpath (Welsh Ceilidh) for those who have not been exhausted during the day on the hills.

Crickhowell has a fantastic range of local shops - no chains or supermarkets here - where you can buy local produce, crafts and art. It also has shops selling individual clothes and even furniture.

So, if you don't like walking then go shopping! Crickhowell and its immediate surrounds is well served by pubs, cafes and restaurants and there is something for all tastes and pockets.

As an established holiday destination there is a huge range of places to stay - hotels, B&Bs, self-catering. For more information on staying here go to or contact the Tourist Information Centre."

Article by David Thomas