The Brecon Beacons National Park

Activity and Research 3

3. Activities and Attractions in the Brecon Beacons National Park

Like all National Parks, the Brecon Beacons provides facilities for a range of outdoor recreation activities.  The most popular activities are walking, mountain biking and cycling as well as a range of water-based activities.

Walking
As in many national parks, walking is the most popular leisure activity.  Many signposted walks are available which vary in length and difficulty.  Walking allows visitors to appreciate the beauty of the landscape of the National Park.  Guides for walkers are available from Information Centres which give details about the walks.  There are a number of advantages in providing detailed information about walks:

Women Walking up Corn Ddu

Brecon Beacons, Mid Wales

• The walker can be informed about the area in which they are walking
• They are less likely to get lost or stray on to land where they should not walk, so local farmers and landowners are not upset
• The visitor is more likely to return to do other walks in the area
• The routes can encourage walkers to visit local tourism businesses such as pubs and cafes to spend money
• Guides can give other information about facilities available in the National Park.

Cycling
Cycling is increasing in popularity as a leisure activity and the National Park Authority has developed a series of ‘waymarked’ cycle paths and mountain bike trails.  As with the footpaths, a series of leaflets and guides are available.

 

It is important to promote activities such as cycling in the Brecon Beacons National Park.  Businesses within the park can support cyclists in a number of ways (cycle hire and repair, providing food and drink, etc.) 

Improving the quality of information available to cyclists is seen as a priority.  Another important idea is to improve links between public transport systems and cycling routes so hat cyclists rely less on their own cars.

Mountain biking has increased dramatically in recent years and the National Park Authority has had to develop new tracks and routes to meet the needs of people who enjoy this new sport.  16 mountain bike routes have been created and these all start from one of five locations or ‘hubs’.  As with on-road cycling, route packs are available.

Water-based activities

A wide range of water-based activities is available.  Canoeing and kayaking are popular and freshwater fishing is available on many lakes and rivers.
At Llangorse Lake there are opportunities for sailing and windsurfing as well.

Pony trekking and horse riding

The Brecon Beacons is one of the oldest areas for pony trekking in Britain.  There are a number of trekking and riding centres within the national park and there are opportunities for trekking holidays.
The British Horse Society has given a ‘Best Access’ award to the Brecon Beacon National Park for opening up new horse-riding routes and this has led to benefits to businesses within the National Park.

Attractions

The natural attraction of the Brecon Beacons National Park is the landscape of mountains, moorlands, rivers and caves, together with the wildlife found within the area.

The built attractions include the ancient castles and hill forts as well as the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Purpose built attractions include the National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus and Craig-y-nos Country Park.

Historic towns, such as Brecon, Hay-on-Wye and Crickhowell also attract visitors.

Activities and Research 3

1. Design a leaflet promoting the benefits of walking in the Brecon Beacons.

2. Research the range of activities available at Llangorse Lake. 

3. Suggest how visitors could spend a day or half-day in and around the town of Brecon.

4. What happens at the Hay-on-Wye Festival? 

5. Research the products and services available at the National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus and the Craig-y-nos Country Park.