A new series of nature walks highlighting Brecon’s rich urban biodiversity has been officially launched by the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership.

On March 28, the Mayor of Brecon, Cllr John Powell, joined local volunteers and partner organisations to mark the launch of the Brecon Nature Walks - a project funded by the Welsh Government through its Local Places for Nature scheme.

In an urban setting, nature can sometimes be overlooked - but it exists in all places, however small. To shine a light on the wonderful nature in and around Brecon and to strengthen the connection visitors and locals have to it, the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership has produced a number of nature walks around the town. The walks highlight the broad range of biodiversity that the town has to offer and shows how an urban setting can connect with the surrounding landscape.

Each of the six walks starts and ends at Brecon Bus Station to make them more accessible. For those feeling ambitious, all six walks can be completed, covering nearly 13 miles in total.

The first of the walks takes you up towards Slwch Tump, where the hill offers 180-degree views of the Central Beacons and the rolling hills of the Usk Valley. Throughout the year, you can spot a variety of wildlife, flowers, and fungi. You might even see distinctive red kites soaring overhead and hear the calls of green woodpeckers echoing through the trees. In spring, hawthorn trees bloom with beautiful white flowers, while in autumn they produce bright red berries—an essential food source for small mammals.

From Slwch Tump, the walk leads down through a sunken green lane, where mature trees provide shelter for small mammals, and badgers and foxes are often seen using the path to move between fields. The route continues past Brecon Leisure Centre and around Penlan Ponds, home to great crested newts. In the warm summer months, the ponds are also an excellent spot to see dragonflies and damselflies.

A walk through some of Brecon’s streets and up a hill leads you to Priory Groves - an expansive woodland dominated by beech trees. While the grove is home to a variety of wildlife, you can also spot beautiful wooden sculptures crafted by a local artisan. From there, the route climbs to the top of Pen-y-Crug, offering stunning 360-degree views of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. The walk then descends past Maen-du Well and continues towards Brecon Promenade, where, if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of an otter.

The final two walks take you around the outskirts of Llanfaes and through Island Fields. Along the way, you might spot Atlantic salmon in the River Usk or watch swifts soaring in the sky above.

Yous can pick up a copy of the leaflet from various tourist information points around Brecon, offering the opportunity to explore the town’s natural wonders and deepen their connection with the surrounding landscape.

More information on the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership at: https://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/Brecon-Beacons-National-Park