Supported by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority Collabor8 Project as well as a number of local businesses, Hay Tourism Group have organised the first Hay Walking Festival, which they hope will draws crowds of walkers and countryside lovers to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
Taking place from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th October, this new addition to the Hay calendar offers more than 30 events spread over the space of three days, including 23 guided walks, 3 runs courtesy of Hay Hotfooters and 4 evening events. This new festival is about more than just simply walking and will give people the chance to discover or learn something new along the way. Just some of the interesting things on offer include Nordic walking, map reading and interpretation, landscape photography, working farm visits, town architecture, archaeology, geology and history of the area.
Or you can just simply go for a walk! The walks programme varies from short gentle strolls to 15 mile treks in the Black Mountains. In fact, there’s something for everyone. All walks will be led by experienced walkers from the Bannau Brycheiniog Park Society, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority or Hay Walkers.
Popular broadcaster and avid walker, Trevor Fishlock and the famous polar explorer Felicity Aston will be speaking about their walking experiences at the official launch the festival which will take place on Friday 7th October at The Swan Hotel in Hay at 7.30pm. There is also an evening talk on Saturday 8th October from Alan Ward, on his walking adventures in Nepal and Tanzania, followed by a buffet supper and ceilidh in the Globe.
Nick Stewart, Collabor8 Officer for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “We are really pleased to be using Collabor8 to support Hay Tourism Group to get this walking festival, that will add another exciting to element to those who visit and love Hay, off the ground. The variety of walks and events on offer are plentiful and for those who’ve never been to Hay it couldn’t be a better opportunity to come and see what the area has to offer.”
Alison O’Grady of Hay Tourism Group said: “We have worked hard to plan an exciting event with a range of interesting walks and events that we hope will inspire visitors to come to Hay on Wye and the surrounding area to discover the walking opportunities we have to offer. We are well known as a Town of Books and literature and we hope that that this will help raise the profile of Hay on Wye as a great place to come walking too.”
There is small charge to cover the cost for events but for more information on what’s available please visit the website www.haywalkingfestival.co.uk or email info@haywalkingfestival.co.uk . Bookings for walks and events will be taken from 1st August.
For more information about Collabor8 contact Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Collabor8 Officer Nick Stewart on 01874 620490 or nick.stewart@breconbeacons.org