What's the recipe for a wonderful walk? There are, of course, many answers to this question but surely great ingredients are key. Take the beautiful natural scenery of the Brecon Beacons and Welsh Borders, add myths, stories and wildlife, throw in a gang of engaging leaders and a fistful of fresh air and what do you have?  The Hay Walking Festival, of course!

After a three year fallow period, the Hay Walking Festival is back for a fifth outing.  Hay warmly invites you to join in the fun from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th October. For all the details click here.

The weekend kicks off with a Nordic night walk on Friday and the walks programme over Saturday and Sunday is broad ranging in terms of geography and interest.  With nearly twenty walks in all, there is something for all abilities and interests – all day in the hills, town walks, historical walks and even an exciting opportunity to try the ancient way of walking with pack ponies.

Walks are graded according to difficulty and are led by experienced walk leaders, all of whom know and love the area covered and have themselves been traversing the area for many years. The walks  provide an opportunity to explore woods, hills, moorland, ancient abbeys and churches, Neolithic tombs, castles,  Nordic walking, a nature reserve, literary references – Bruce Chatwin’s On the Black Hill and no doubt Rev Kilvert will get a mention or two – the evolution of Hay as a book town, industrial archaeology,  explanation of changing land use… The list goes on.

To make the most of the weekend there are evening events on offer. On Friday a trio of talks from seasoned travellers and a walker’s quiz on Saturday. All proceeds from these two events will go to Longtown Mountain Rescue team and Wales Air Ambulance.

To view the programme and book your tickets, visit www.haywalkingfestival.com.

Pictures taken by members of the committee or (c) Visit Wales/Visit Britain.