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Llangorse attracts around 50,000 visitors every year, but most of them stay down by the lake. On this walk, Derek headed away from the water and up into the hills to Allt Yr Esgair.

It's an ideal walk for those new to walking as well as those who enjoy a decent work-out and it can be split into two sections: the lowlands and the high ground.

Derek was joined by Mike Scruby, a former area warden from the National Park who now works at the Ty Mawr farm house, running a series of environmental courses.

A fairly recent addition to Llangorse Lake is the new interpretation centre. Standing on stilts in the lake it offers information and views of a much older point of interest, the 'Crannog'.

A 'Crannog' is a prehistoric artificial island built into a lake. This particular 'Crannog' is unique as it's the only one in England and Wales (the rest are in Scotland and Ireland).

It is made of large oak posts, with willow and hazel woven around and then filled in with stone.

The Crannog was once a settlement, and some think that is was even a royal palace.

Mike tells a story of how in the 9th century, the 'Crannog' was attacked by Ethelfred, Queen of Mercia and that the wife of the King of Brechiniog was captured and held hostage there.

You can't actually step on to the 'Crannog' today because it is a scheduled monument and there would be a danger of it being damaged.

During the winter the lake floods and some sections of the route are completely covered by water.

The lake and the surrounding area is home to large flocks of canada geese, and at certain times of the year there can be around 500 geese here.

A little way along the route you'll come across two fairly strange looking trees which look a bit like large bonsai trees, but they are in fact pollarded oaks and more than 500 years old.

They grow in such an unusual fashion because the tops have been regularly cut. The base continues to grow while the top is thinned out, providing a great habitat for birds and insects.

Another important habitat on this walk are the reed beds surrounding the lake.

A lot of birds use the reeds for protection, but they also provide food and good nesting areas for smaller birds such as reed and sedge warblers.

also live in the reeds but you're unlikely to see one in the daylight. Keep an eye out for their 'spraints' though and other tell tale signs of their existence.

The walk continues around to Llangasty Point which is a protected nature reserve and a fantastic place to see a wide range of wildlife, including swifts, house martins, sand martins, coot and other water fowl.

Next stop is Ty Mawr farm - A grade two listed building which has been painstakingly restored and is now the Welsh centre for traditional & ecological building methods.

The barn in particular is a masterpiece in stone building with each individually cut stone roof tile reducing in size as the roof rises, don't stop here for too long though there is plenty more to see.

This is the point where the walk can be divided. If you don't fancy a big uphill trek then turn around here and head back to the lake.

Likewise if you want to miss the lake and only have time for the hill walk then head straight for Llangasty Hall, a handy parking spot.

Llangasty hall was built in 1929, now this is a good place to park your car if you fancy cutting the walk in half. The last leg of the walk takes you up a narrow bridal path which is fairly steep.

This part of the walk delivers some stunning views, and if you know what to look out for, you can find evidence of the prehistoric heritage of Allt Yr Esgair, including an Iron Age hill-fort, but it's onwards and upwards.

From the top you can see down the Usk Valley towards Abergavenny, the pointed summit of the Sugarloaf, Pen Cerrig-calch, Pen y Gader Fawr, the summit of Mynydd Troed, Radnor Forrest, the Brecon Beacons, Pen y Fan, Waun Rydd, Dol Pantua and more.

The hike up Allt Yr Esgair to reach those stunning views is challenging, but whether you do the whole walk or just the first half - it is definitely worth the effort.

This Weatherman Walking walk was done in June 2008.