The long-awaited Isle of Wight Walking Festival, which runs from October 9-22, has released its first 50 walks.
Boasting miles of winding footpaths through beautiful coast and countryside, the Isle of Wight is a haven for hikers, walkers and wanderers alike. Walk the Festival with family, take a stroll with friends, connect with new people in the great outdoors or reconnect with nature and learn about the Island’s thriving wildlife.
Working closely with the Isle of Wight Ramblers Association, the National Trust and a number of volunteer ‘Walk Leaders’, the walks are graded by pace; from gentle, to moderate through to strenuous walks for the more experienced hiker.
Ranging from the longest walks of 18.5 miles (‘Eastern Yar Source to Sea’ is split across two days) to the shortest (a discovery of rock pooling and fossil hunting at Fort Victoria), the Isle of Wight Walking Festival, organised by Visit Isle of Wight is a fantastic opportunity to get out and discover the majesty of the great outdoors in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Ian Griffiths, a walk leader and Chairman of Visit Isle of Wight said:
‘As the Chairman of Visit Isle of Wight which is organising the Walking Festival and as a walk leader, I am looking forward to welcoming people to join me and my fellow walk leaders to enjoy the Island’s scenery. There are so many spectacular walks, filled with adventure, history and fun so now is the time to start booking yours – and if you are ready for a longer challenge along some of the Isle of Wights river trails, it would be great for you to join one of my walks, The Wroxhall Stream Trail, Scotchells Brook and Red Squirrel Trail or a walk over two days following the Eastern Yar river from it’s source to the sea!’
Walking groups are restricted in numbers and all walks must be booked on the Isle of Wight Walking Festival website in advance to avoid disappointment.
Over 100 walks will take place across the event. A further 50 walks will be shared with one month to go.