Llangorse attracts around 50,000 visitors every year, but most of them stay down by the lake, so for this walk we will be heading away from the water and up to Allt Yr Esgair. It is an ideal walk, suitable for those new to the past time as well as those who enjoy a decent work out and it can be split into two sections, the lowlands and the high ground, to make it easier and more digestible.

Derek's guide on this walk will be Mike Scruby, a former area warden form the Brecon Beacons national park, but now he works at the Ty Mawr farm house where he runs a series of environmental courses.

A fairly recent addition to Llangorse Lake is the new interpretation centre. Standing on stilts in the lake it offers information and views of a much older point of interest, the Crannog.

A Crannog is an artificial island built into a lake, and this particular Crannog is unique as it is the only one found anywhere in England or Wales (the rest are all in Scotland and Ireland). It is made of large oak posts, with willow and hazel woven around and then filled in with stone.

The Crannog has some interesting cultural history, it was once a settlement, and some think that is was even a royal palace. Mike tells a story of how in the 9th century, the Crannog was attacked by Ethelfred, Queen of Mercia; the wife of the King of Brechiniog was captured and held hostage there.

You can't go on the Crannog today because it is a scheduled monument and there would be a danger of it being damaged.

During the winter the lake floods and some sections of this route are completely covered by water. The lake and the surrounding areas is also home to flocks of Canada Geese, and at certain times of year there can be around 500 geese here.

A little way along the route you should come across two fairly strange looking trees. Derek thought looked like large bonsai trees, but they are in fact pollarded oaks, which have been there for over 500 years. They grow in such an unusual fashion because the tops have been regularly cut, so the base continues to grow while the top is thinned out. They are also a great habitat for birds and insects.

Another important habitat that this walk will take you through is the reed beds that surround the lake...

Mike says... A lot of the birds will come over into the reeds for protection, but they also offer a lot of food and good nesting, the little birds, like the reed warblers and sedge warblers will use the reed beds for nesting. You will find otters in there, but you will be very unlikely to see an otter, but you may well see the signs of them around.

The walk continues around to Llangasty point which is actually protected as a nature reserve, and it is a fantastic place to see a wide range of other wildlife, including birds such as swifts, house-martins, sand-martins, coot and other duck.

Next stop Ty Mawr farm, this is now the Welsh centre for traditional and ecological building, and the grade two listed building has been painstakingly restored. The barn in particular is a masterpiece in stone building with each individually cut stone roof tile reducing in size as the roof rises, don't stop here for too long though there is plenty more to see.

This is the point where the walk can be divided. If you don't fancy a big uphill trek then turn around here and head back to the lake. Likewise if you want to miss the lake and only have time for the hill walk then head straight for Llangasty Hall, a handy parking spot...

Derek says... Here we are at Llangasty hall which was built in 1929, now this is a good place to park your car if you fancy cutting the walk in half. The last leg of our journey takes us up this narrow bridal path but be warned it is a bit steep.

This part of the walk may be steep but it does deliver some stunning views, and if you know what to look out for you can find evidence of the prehistoric heritage of Allt Yr Esgair, including an Iron Age hill-fort, but it's onwards and upwards.

Derek says... Wow! I love a walk with a good pay off, and this has certainly got it, wherever you look, 360 degrees of wonderful views, its well worth the effort.

From the top you can see down the Usk valley towards Abergavenny, the pointed summit of the Sugarloaf, then there is the Pen Cerrig-calch, Pen y Gader Fawr, the summit of Mynydd Troed, Radnor Forrest, the Brecon Beacons, Pen y Fan, Waun Rydd, Dol Pantua and then there is Llangottock above Crickhowell, a whole host of views on offer.

This route will allow you to combine a relaxing lakeside walk, complete with history and wildlife, with a more challenging hike up Allt Yr Esgair to reach those stunning views, but whether you do the whole walk or just the first half; it is definitely worth a go.