Literature Wales have announced the 2011 Literary Tourism Programme, a series of literary bus tours and walks in Wales that takes to the roads, byways and footpaths to bring Wales' literatures closer to the landscapes in which they are embedded. This year's programme which happens between May and October is the most diverse yet, comprising four bus tours and four walking tours located across the country from Snowdonia to the Brecon Beacons.

Top of the list for fans of fantasy is probably one run in association with the Brecon Beacons NPA and is a literary walk discussing J R R Tolkien in the Black Mountains on 30^th June. The walk, led by UWIC Lecturer Dr Dimitra Fimi, explores the evolution of Tolkien's mythology by examining how it changed as a result of Tolkien's life story and contemporary cultural and intellectual history. Tolkien was certainly inspired by Wales: he adapted Welsh grammar and phonology to create the languages of some of his fictional peoples and drew on Welsh toponymy for his fantastical place names.

So, if you like Tolkien, you're interested in these themes and need a bit of exercise the walk starts from The Farmer’s Arms, Cwmdu, Powys and tickets are a miserly £2. Visit their website for further information and to downlaod a brochure.