Walking Newtown has organised 18 guided walks over both days of the Newtown Outdoor Festival. There is a wide range of walks for all interests and abilities. Choose the one that appeals to you and suits your fitness level. If you want more information on the walks, click Walking Newtown on the left hand menu for the walks list to check them out. Or click on the Walk titles in the detailed description and it will take you right to the walk. You’ll find photos, altitude profiles and complete descriptions.
All are welcome, children under the age of 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Dogs are welcome on the two dog walks. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring plenty of water and snacks, especially for the long walks.
All these walks are FREE. Come along on the day and register for your chosen walk at least 15 minutes before the start at our hub at Oriel Davies Gallery. Numbers are limited to 20 so arrive early to avoid disappointment. If you prefer to go on your own, you are welcome to download the map and directions of any of the walks on the Walking Newtown web pages to do them at your convenience.
For all the family we have two town activity strolls that can be downloaded and done anytime. Simply download the leaflets of the Heritage Walk (Town Trail 1) or Nature Walk (Town Trail 2), follow the trail and try the challenges.
The table below shows all the guided walks we offer at a glance. Scroll down for detailed information on each of them to see which walk suits you best.
Saturday/Dydd Sadwrn, 3rd June/Mehefin 2023
| No. | WALK | START TIME | DISTANCE miles | DIFFICULTY |
| 1 | Dog friendly walk Waterways & Town | 09:30 | 5.3 | Moderate |
| 2 | Pub walk to Bettws Cedewain (pub in middle) | 10:00 | 10 | Strenuous |
| 3 | Taith i’r “Kerry Lamb” yng Ngheri Welsh language pub walk to Kerry |
10.00 | 9 | Cymedrol/Egniol Moderate/Strenuous |
| 4 | Fachwen Pool | 10:30 | 6.1 | Moderate |
| 5 | Accessible walk near Trehafren Hill | 10:30 | 2 | Easy |
| 6 | Newtown Heritage Walk | 11.00 | 1 to 1.5 hours | Easy |
| 7 | Foraging Walk | 11.00 | 1 to 1.5 hours | Easy |
| 8 | Sing n stroll | 13:00 | 2 hours | Easy |
| 9 | Photography Walk for Young People | 10:30 | 5 hours | Moderate |
Sunday/Dydd Sul, 4th June/Mehefin 2023
| No. | WALK | START TIME | DISTANCE miles | DIFFICULTY |
| 1 | Dog friendly walk, Frith Farm | 09:30 | 4.5 | Moderate |
| 2 | Bwlch y Ffridd | 09:30 | 9.3 | Strenuous |
| 3 | Dolforwyn | 10:00 | 10 | Strenuous |
| 4 | Challenge Walk | 10:00 | 14.5 | Egniol Strenuous |
| 5 | Waterways and town | 10:30 | 5.3 | Moderate |
| 6 |
Taith Gerdded Hanesyddol Y Drenewydd Welsh Newtown Heritage Walk |
10:30 | 1-1.5 awr/hours | Hawdd/Easy |
| 7 | Newtown Heritage Walk | 11:00 | 1-1.5 hours | Easy |
| 8 | Foraging Walk | 11:00 | 1-2 hours | Easy |
| 9 | Photography Walk for Young People | 10:30 | 5 hours | Moderate |
The walks in more detail:
Saturday/Dydd Sadwrn, 3rd June/Mehefin 2023
Walk 1 Dog Friendly Walk, Waterways and Town
Start time: 09:30
Distance: 4.5 miles
Approximate Duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Bring your best friend, his/her lead, some poo bags and come along for a sociable walk with our canine and other friends. This walk is based on Walk 6, Waterways and Town. All well-behaved dogs welcome.
Walk 2 Pub Walk to Bettws Cedewain
Start time: 10:00
Distance: 10 miles
Approximate Duration: 7 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
One of the newest walks in the Walking Newtown repertoire (Walk 16 on our web site), this beautiful and varied walk involves some strenuous ups and downs with a total cumulative ascent of about 635m. It’s enough to give you a good appetite for a pub lunch in the middle. The route is more of a lollipop than full circuit as some of the return duplicates the outward stretch. It includes on road, off road and paved tracks. It goes through several farms, usually with various farm animals and arrives in a small village. As always in the countryside, wet weather will mean muddy footpaths in places. This walk gives good views over Newtown and also towards the mountains to the north of town. To preview the walk have a look at this Relive with photos and map: https://www.relive.cc/view/vXOdYprxkk6.
Bring plenty of water and small snacks as well as money for a pub lunch.
Walk 3 Taith i’r “Kerry Lamb” yng Ngheri Welsh language pub walk to Kerry
Amser cychwyn/Start time: 10:00
Pellter/Distance: 9 milltir/miles
Amser bras/Approximate Duration: 5 awr/hours
Anhawster/Difficulty: Cymedrol i Egniol / Moderate to Strenuous
Dyma gyfle i fwynhau taith a sgwrsio gyda siaradwyr a dysgwyr Cymraeg. Taith gerdded i fyny a throsodd i bentref Ceri, mae’n gwobrwyo’r ymdrech sylweddol gyda golygfeydd gwych yn un o’n teithiau mwyaf ysplennydd. Mae’r esgyniad cronedig tua 480 m, trwy rai ffermydd a choetir hardd. Fel arfer mae anifeiliaid fferm i’w gweld ar y daith hon. Rydym wedi gosod gatiau i gerddwyr yn lle’r rhan fwyaf o’r camfeydd ond mae rhai i’w trafod o hyd.
Mae cinio tafarn yn y canol yn y Kerry Lamb a chaiff cerddwyr wledd i ymweliad ag Eglwys hynafol Ceri ac un o’r Beiblau cadwynog Cymraeg cyntaf y tu mewn. Dewch â dŵr, byrbrydau ac arian ar gyfer cinio tafarn. Edrychwch ar y daith ar Relive
Here is a chance to enjoy a walk and chat with Welsh speakers and learners. An up and over walk to the village of Kerry, it rewards the significant effort with some fantastic scenery in one of our most spectacular walks. The accumulated ascent is about 480 m, through some beautiful farms and woodland. There are usually farm animals to be seen on this walk. We’ve replaced most of the stiles with pedestrian gates but there are still a few to negotiate.
There is a pub lunch in the middle at the Kerry Lamb and walkers will be treated to a visit to the ancient Kerry Church and one of the first Welsh language chained bibles inside. Bring water, snacks and money for a pub lunch. Check out the walk on Relive.
Walk 4 Fachwen Pool
Start time: 10:30
Distance: 6.1 miles
Approximate Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
A beautiful walk to the fishing club pool and a bit beyond, this walk is based on Walking Newtown Walk 3, Fachwen Pool, and is proving to be one of our most popular walks. It goes out by the Severn Way and returns via fields, woods and lanes. It has an accumulated ascent of about 330m and crosses a few streams. We’ve replaced almost all the stiles with pedestrian gates but there are still a few on the way home.
At the farthest point of the walk there will be a picnic stop with fantastic views so bring lunch as well as plenty of water.
Walk 5 Accessible Walk Trehafren to the River
Start time: 10:30
Distance: 2 miles
Approximate Duration: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
This is an inclusive walk suitable for people with mobility problems. It is on fairly level ground without difficulties or obstacles. One short downhill slope is about 1:15 so anyone in a wheelchair may need a companion to ensure safely. All are welcome.
Walk 6 Newtown Heritage Walk
Start time: 11:00
Distance: approximately 2 miles
Approximate Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
This walk is a short tour of the historic centre of Newtown. The aim is to give walkers an insight into the history of the town from its foundation in 1279 through to the present day, looking at the buildings which reflect and illustrate the different periods of the town’s development. We start at the medieval castle in the park, walk along Market Street and then to the river at the bottom of Severn Street, along the river bank to old St Mary’s church then back along Broad street, returning through High Street to the park.
The walk leader, Edward Parry, is a retired history teacher with a particular interest in buildings and the local history of this area. He is one of the Civic Society team which produced the Explore Newtown booklet on the The Historic Town Centre last year and they are preparing a similar publication on Newtown North of the Severn.
Walk 7 Foraging Walk
Start time: 11:00
Distance: approximately 2.5 miles
Approximate Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
One of our most popular walks in the Newtown Walking Festival, this is a foraging adventure along the canal. Join Jon Lewis and learn about wild food.
Walk 8 Summer Sing n Stroll
Start time: 13:00
Distance: 1.3 miles
Approximate Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
A fun and family friendly level walk 1 pm until 3 pm. It starts with a walk over the bridge to Dolerw Park. Join us for a Summer Sing and Stroll around Newtown’s lovely Riverside park. Perfect for non-singers and experienced singers. Meet people, make friends, have a laugh and enjoy a sing. Together we will learn simple songs rhythms and harmonies from around the world that will make you smile. Bring a snack and blanket to enjoy the sunshine.
Walk 9 Photography Walk for Young People
Start time: 10:30
Distance: 4.5 miles
Approximate Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
A creative walk with photographer Mohamed Hassan. Following a circular route from Newtown to Pwll Penarth Nature Reserve, Walk 7. Bring a smart phone or camera to document the walk, explore the landscape and meet other young people.
Mohamed Hassan is a Welsh Egyptian artist whose photographic practice focuses on themes of identity and belonging. He photographs people and places and his work is exhibited internationally. Mo exhibited at Oriel Davies in 2022 in it exhibition Portraits – Responding to Rembrandt and runs workshops for young people across Wales.
Places are limited so please book in advance on gallery website, at the gallery desk or by phone 01686 625041. Bring a packed lunch and dress for the weather with walking boots or trainers.
Making time to notice nature in all its details is fun, often surprising and always good for well-being.
Sunday/Dydd Sul, 4th June/Mehefin 2023
Walk 1 Dog Friendly Walk, Ffrith Farm
Start time: 09:30
Distance: 5.3 miles
Approximate Duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Bring your best friend, his/her lead, some poo bags and come along for a sociable walk with our canine and other friends. This walk is based on Walk 1, Ffrith Farm, to the north of Newtown. It is a mixture of road and off-road walking and includes lovely views over Newtown and the surrounding hills. Some sections will be muddy after heavy rain. It climbs through a farmyard with friendly dogs, sheep and possibly cows. It travels along Penshwa Lane for a while and then returns along a green lane, Lonesome Lane and the canal. All well-behaved dogs welcome. All well-behaved dogs welcome.
Walk 2 Bwlch y ffridd
Start time: 09:30
Distance: 9.3 miles
Approximate Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
This challenging walk to the north of Newtown takes in some iconic mid-Wales countryside, with the views to go with it. We’ve been working for years to replace stiles with pedestrian gates and there are fewer than half a dozen left. There are plenty of hills, with an accumulated ascent of more than 600 m as you skirt, but don’t enter, the village of Bwlch y ffridd.
Bring plenty of water, snacks and a lunch for stops along the way.
Walk 3 Dolforwyn
Start time: 10:00
Distance: 10 miles
Approximate Duration: 6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
This delightful and energetic walk is based on Walk 8, Dolforwyn Castle. It is a circuit that goes cross-country before climbing to the picturesque ruins of Dolforwyn Castle for a picnic and back along the canal towpath. Bring a picnic for a break in the castle grounds amid romantic stone ruins and exceptional views. View the route and photos of the walk on Relive.
Walk 4 Challenge Walk to Kerry Ridgeway
Start time: 10:00
Distance: 14.5 miles
Approximate Duration: 6.5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
A beautiful and varied walk, it reaches a height of 501 m on the Ridgeway and the whole walk has 699 m of accumulated height gain – two valleys between the town and the ridgeway. Most of the walk comprises reaching the ridgeway at 8.5 miles, with only one climb on the way back. There are fantastic views of Newtown, then Kerry and Kerry Vale and fabulous views on a good day of Snowdonia from the Ridgeway, where we will have lunch, so bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. Depending on the weather it can be quite exposed on the Ridgeway. The walk will return around 4.30 pm.
Walk 5 Waterways and Town
Start time: 10:30
Distance: 5.3 miles
Approximate Duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
This walk is based on Walk 6, Waterways and Town. It was closed for a long time during the bypass work but has been reopened and now goes under the new bypass twice. It meanders along the Severn River, the Mochdre Brook and then surprises at the end with a brief glimpse of Dolfor Brook as it is briefly allowed to see the sunshine on Dolfor Road. In between it climbs Black Hall Hill for views south of town.
The total accumulated ascent is approximately 200m and there are some stiles.
Walk 6 Taith gerdded treftadaeth Y Drenewydd Welsh language Newtown Heritage walk
Amser cychwyn/Start time: 10:30
Pellter bras/Approximate Distance: 2 milltir/miles
Amser bras/Approximate Duration: 1 – 1.5 awr/hours
Anhawster/Difficulty: Hawdd/Easy
Bydd Dewi Roberts yn arwain taith o gwmpas y Drenewydd, yn ymweld â lleoliadau hanesyddol llai amlwg er mwyn mynd â ni yn ôl i orffennol anghofiedig y dref. Bydd y daith yn addas i siaradwyr Cymraeg rhugl a dysgwyr.
Dewi Roberts will lead a walk around Newtown, visiting lesser-known historical locations in order to take us back to a forgotten past. The walk will be suitable for fluent Welsh speakers as well as learners.
Walk 7 Newtown Heritage Walk
Start time: 11:00
Distance: approximately 2 miles
Approximate Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
This walk will start in the park but then head across the Long bridge to Penygloddfa. This area of the town developed in the first quarter of the nineteenth century to become the centre of the flannel industry which earned Newtown the title ‘the little Leeds of Wales’. Much of Penygloddfa is a conservation area with numerous listed buildings and it is one of the best examples of an early industrial townscape in the country, with several surviving factory buildings one of which is now the Textile museum. We will walk along Frankwell, Commercial, Bryn and Crescent streets where the best examples of the industrial heritage can be seen.
The walk leader, Edward Parry, is a retired history teacher with a particular interest in buildings and the local history of this area. He is one of the Civic Society team which produced the Explore Newtown booklet on the The Historic Town Centre last year and they are preparing a similar publication on Newtown North of the Severn.
Walk 8 Foraging Walk
Start time: 11:00
Distance: approximately 2.5 miles
Approximate Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
One of our most popular walks in the Newtown Walking Festival, this is a foraging adventure on an easy, flat route along the canal towpath. Join Jon Lewis and learn about wild food you can collect and cook yourself.
Walk 9 Photography Walk for Young People
Start time: 10:30
Distance: 4.5 miles
Approximate Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
A creative walk with photographer Mohamed Hassan. Following a circular route from Newtown to Pwll Penarth Nature Reserve, Walk 7. Bring a smart phone or camera to document the walk, explore the landscape and meet other young people.
Mohamed Hassan is a Welsh Egyptian artist whose photographic practice focuses on themes of identity and belonging. He photographs people and places and his work is exhibited internationally. Mo exhibited at Oriel Davies in 2022 in it exhibition Portraits – Responding to Rembrandt and runs workshops for young people across Wales.
Places are limited so please book in advance on gallery website, at the gallery desk or by phone 01686 625041. Bring a packed lunch and dress for the weather with walking boots or trainers.
Making time to notice nature in all its details is fun, often surprising and always good for well-being.
