"This year the festival is again being run in the first week of March to coincide with St David's Day.

It actually starts on Saturday 28 February and runs until 8 March. It features 42 guided walks, ranging from full day hikes across the tops of the scenic Black Mountains to easier walks for the young, not so fit and even for those with walking difficulties or in wheelchairs.

There is a walk there for everybody, whatever your experience. Try a walk with an RAF fitness instructor, or one for Welsh learners. How about a bit of history with your walk? We have walks in Govilon looking at the industrial heritage and in the Black Mountains looking at earlier archaeological remains. We can put you in the company of a geologist who will tell you about the rocks and formations, or you can take a Sunday afternoon stroll from one of the local pubs.

In addition to the walks programme there are a number of supporting events, talks and geocaching. There is also a Craft Fair and a Twmpath (see picture, right, from last year) to round off the week. You may not want to walk, but you should find something to do in picturesque Crickhowell, where there are excellent local shops, pubs, hotels and cafés.

One of the special events this year is a talk by Rob Lewis who participated in the race to the North Pole with six other teams, battling frost bite and polar bears on the way. It was featured in the BBC documentary series "The Challenge". Rob's talk is on Friday 6 March and is likely to prove popular, so book early!

Arts Alive, a dynamic arts organisation that has been working in the Crickhowell area since 1988, has a number of arts-related walks. Last year the poetry walk proved very popular and this is being repeated this year. In addition, there is a landscape painting walk led by Veronica Gibson, a well known local artist. She is also leading a print making walk. Details from Arts Alive's website which you can find on the right hand side of this page.

Children are catered for by a woodland walk with activities and sculpture, an RAF Adventure Day for 6 to 12 year olds and a family walk at Big Pit as well as a special geocaching event.

Full details of the full programme can be found at the Crickhowell Festival website on the right hand side of this page or by phoning the Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre on 01873 812011 for a programme to posted to you. Booking is highly recommended as walks do get booked up and there is a limit on numbers on each walk."

Article by David Thomas

More walking in Mid Wales...

More Festivals in Mid Wales...