www.ramblers.org.uk

Walkers' Diary

This page lists major walking-related events in Great Britain (and a selection from around the world) over the coming months, such as walking festivals, major conferences, campaigning and launch events. Please contact us if you think your event should be listed here. We regret we can't list local walks and fundraising or challenge events run by other organisations.

More events details can be found online at:

2008

15 - 23 February: Fort William Mountain Festival. The complete celebration of mountain culture. Features talks, exhibitions, events and much more. Details will be available closer to the time.

See the website: www.mountainfestival.co.uk or call 01397 700001.

29 February - 2 March: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. Festival dedicated to the best in outdoor films. Schedule to be confirmed at a later date.

For more information visit www.shaff.co.uk or call 01433 639378.

1 March - 2 March: Crickhowell Walking Festival Followed by a further week of great walks for ALL abilities & ALL the family. Core Walks Programme, 6 - 16 year olds Programme, Geocaching, Themed easy walks, Specific Welsh language walks, Self-led walks, Accessible walks, Town Treasure Hunt, Festival Market, St David’s Night Dance, Special eating, drinking & shopping offers.

For more information visit www.crickhowellfestival.com

8 March: English Heritage Medieval Walk Discover the secrets of one of County Durham's long-disappeared medieval villages on a free guided walk.  A detailed investigation of the ‘lumps and bumps’ of the site at Ulnaby will reveal the history of a village community. English Heritage archaeologist Catherine Grindey will be revealing to participants on the guided walk what she believes is the true story of the village’s demise. For more information call: 01904 601877 or email: elfrieda.waren@gnn.gsi.gov.uk

14 - 16 March: The Outdoors Show. Come and visit the Ramblers' at the Outdoors Show at the NEC in Birmingham! The show offers a huge variety of stands, stalls, activities and talks covering all aspects of the outdoors.

For tickets and information see www.theoutdoorsshow.co.uk

4 - 6 April: Ramblers' Association General Council. Annual GB-wide delegate conference at Winchester University.

11 April: South Downs walk. A walk in Fenhurst

12 - 18 April: Walk Islay. A week of fully guided walks across Islay, Jura and Colonsay.
Further details available from www.walkislay.co.uk or by calling 01496 850382.

19 - 20 April: Walker Miles Event. See separate adverts for the Saturday and Sunday.

19 - 27 April: Peak District Walking Festival. Over the course of the festival's nine days there will be a varied programme of guided walks, many with themes. More details can be found here: www.visitpeakdistrict.com A detailed programme will be available soon from the Peak District website.

26 April - 5 May: Haltwhistle Spring Walking Festival. More details will be available closer to the event.
Check www.haltwhistle.org or call 01434 321242 for more information.

30 March: East London Walking Festival. At the Millennium Centre, The Chase, Dagenham Road, Rush Green, RM7 0SS.
Registration Starts at 9.30 with a warm up and then it should start at 10.30 – 11 am.
The route goes through Fells Field. Central Park, Eastbrook end Country Park into Harrow Lodge Park. The figure of 8 route covers a maximum distance of 6 ½ miles, but allows you to choose a shorter distance to suit your ability. There will be refreshments on the day that you can purchase. Website: www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk

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1 - 6 May: Caithness & Sutherland Walking Festival. A choice of ten walks, including a visit to mainland Britain's most northerly point, Dunnet Head.
Visit www.activities.iberacal.com or call 0808 909 8744 for further details.

3 -11 May: Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival. The Ironbridge Gorge ‘Gorgeous Walks’ Festival, which runs from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 May, has expanded its 2008 programme to include around 20 guided walks and some challenging full day outings within the Shropshire World Heritage Site. For a copy of the festival programme and further information call 01952 432769 or email courses@greenwoodcentre.org.uk details can also be downloaded from www.greenwoodcentre.org.uk
 

3 - 18 May: Isle of Wight Walking Festival. 10th anniversary of Britain's biggest walking festival, featuring over 200 walks this year.
Further details can be found by calling 01983 203888 or visiting www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

9 - 11 May: Prestatyn Walking Festival. The 2007 running of this festival featured 21 walks over three days, taking in parts of Offa's Dyke, Clwydian Way, Dee Way and North Wales Coast Path. Details of the 2008 event will be available shortly.
See www.prestatynwalkingfestival.co.uk for more information.

11 May: Craster Walk. If a combination of rugged Northumberland coastline appeals to you then this is the walk for you! 8 miles of beautiful woodlands, fields and meadows makes this circular route a great walk.Beginning and ending in the lovely setting of The Cottage Inn Craster. For more information call Michelle Muir on 01670856510 or email mmuir@macmillan.org.uk

9 - 15 May: Newton Stewart Walking Festival. A week-long festival with 25 guided walks amongst the Galloway hills.
Check www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk or call 01671 404500.

10 - 11 May: Walk the Path Weekend. This weekend event, organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) will cover 23 miles over the two days and is the perfect way to discover the contrasting scenery of the Blackwater Valley and to witness the river as it journeys downstream. The overall pace of the walk will be easy rather than strenuous, starting from 10am on both days with the route divided into two sections, covering about 13 miles (21km) on day one and 10 miles (17km) on day two. The path is relatively flat and participants can go at their own pace, although there will be walk leaders as well as a back marker to ensure no one gets lost or left behind. There will be check points along the route on both days and refreshments and toilets will be available. Walkers can be reassured in the knowledge that a minibus shuttle service will take them back to the day’s starting point.

10 - 17 May: Aviemore and the Cairngorms Walking and Mountain Festival. Sixth year for this event, with around ten walks per day scheduled to take place within the Cairngorms National Park. A detailed programme of events is due in January 2008.
See www.aviemorewalking.com for further information.

10 - 18 May: Ullswater Walking Festival. Details will be confirmed closer to the time. You can find out more by visiting www.ullswater.com.

17 May: Seaside Stroll. Fancy a seaside stroll...? Why not join Macmillan Cancer Support and take part in our 5 mile circular route which takes in the fantastic views of the South Tyneside coastline. Join us at Souter Lighthouse and walk along the coast edge, bring the family...friends...your dog, everyone welcome. This flat but scenic route takes you down the coastline towards Frenchman's Bay, looping back up towards the lighthouse where you can explore this fantastic landmark and enjoy a much needed refreshment. For more info call Erin on 0191 214 544 or e-mail erichardson@macmillan.org.uk

17 - 23 May: Ballater Royal Deeside Walking Festival. The 2008 programme is currently being prepared for the 11th running of this event.
For more information check www.royal-deeside.org.uk or call 01339 755482.

17 May - 1 June: Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival. Fourth year for this popular festival taking place throughout the Lincolnshire WOLDS AONB, East Lindsey and West Lindsey districts. Features a programme of led walks by local RA groups and other organisations. For more information call 01507 609289 or visit www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk

24 - 25 May: Across Ross Charity Walk Walkers are invited to join this 55 mile classic charity walk through some of the Scottish Highland's most remote scenery. A one day 15 mile event from Croich Church to Braentra, by Ardross is also available. 60 mile event = £40. 15 mile event = £15. For further details please contact Gina Francis Natural High Guiding 01456 415379 acrossross@naturalhighguiding.co.uk

23 - 26 May: Llanelli Festival of Walks. This will be the 13th annual festival, an event that has attracted hundreds of visitors to the town, including many who come year after year.
More information can be found at www.llanelliramblers.org.uk, or by calling 01554 810979.

24 May - 1 June: Warwickshire Walking Festival. This year's festival will feature dozens of guided walks throughout the county, many of them with special themes such as local myths or wildlife.
Call 01926 413419 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/walkingfestival for a programme.

26 May - 8 June: Isle of Anglesey Walking Festival. More details about the 2008 festival will be available closer to the event.
Please visit www.angleseywalkingfestival.com or call 01248 725737 for more information.

29 May - 1 June: Angus Glens Walking Festival. Details of the 2008 festival to be confirmed.
To receive updates register at www.angusanddundee.co.uk

30 May - 6 June: Glen Affric Walking Festival. A highland walking festival based in and around iconic Glen Affric. All the 15 walks are guided by experts and will take you up to the high munros as well as the lower slopes where the magnificence of the lochs and glens can be enjoyed. You can see full details of the festival on the local marketing group’s web site www.glenaffric.info on http://www.glenaffric.info/walkfest08/festival_info_08.pdf or http://www.glenaffric.info/walkfest08/index.html
 

6 - 8 June: Langholm Walking Festival. 7th annual walking festival with 13 guided walks of various lengths and degrees of difficulty in the beautiful river valleys and green rounded hills of Langholm & Eskdale in the South of Scotland. This year featuring a new, serious challenge – Langholm’s Five Hills. Enjoy our famous homemade teas after each walk. Informal social evenings on the Friday and Saturday. Come and enjoy a friendly welcome in Scotland’s beautiful ‘Muckle toon’. www.langholmwalks.co.uk  email walks@langholminitiative.co.uk Tel 013873 80914

14 - 15 June: Princes Risborough Walking Festival. Details of the 2008 festival to be confirmed.

14 - 22 June: Love Parks Week. Love Parks Week 2008 celebrates parks as free places for children to exercise with events in parks around the country. For more information see http://www.green-space.org.uk/loveparksweek/index.php

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19 - 22 June: Territories Reimagined: International Perspectives (T.R.I.P). A unique event in Manchester that will bring together artists and academics in a series of events looking at new methods for altering the physical environment. Details are yet to be confirmed, but are likely to involve seminars, performances and walks taking place throughout the city encouraging the public to get involved. More details can be found here: http://trip2008.wordpress.com/

22 - 27 June: Isle of Man Summer Walking Festival. Bookings are open and the schedule is prepared for the ever popular Isle of Man Summer Walking Festival. A variety of walks are planned, all with the benefit of co-ordinated public transport. For further details, and a full schedule, can be found here: www.isleofmanwalking.com or call 01624 644644.

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5 July: Leicestershire Festival of Walks. There is a choice of three walks of varied distances. One of these walks will be 'The Miners' Trail' led by enthusiastic Coalville member Heidi Spiller. For more information contact Keith Pare, Secretary of Coalville & District RA group: keithpare@talktalk.net

6 July: London Bridges Walk. It starts at Pottersfield, near Tower Bridge and the distance is approximately seven miles so easily achievable for all ages. The entry fee is £8 per person (£10 to register on the day). Everyone who registers before 20th June will receive a special event t-shirt, medal and certificate. There are refreshments and entertainment on the day with Nick Owen from ITN helping with event announcements. For further information please call 08456 12 12 26 or visit  www.kidneyresearchuk.org

 12 - 20 July: Knighton Serendipity Week. East Radnor Ramblers' Association will be supporting this event with a special programme of led walks on Offa's Dyke Path, the Radnor Hills and the Welsh Marches. The wider event will host a range of activities including music, art, plays and garden openings. For more information call 01547 528640.

22 - 24 August: Whirlow Walking Weekend Retreat Three days of walking with a focus on God's creation and the environment. All abilities catered for. For more information email manager@whirlowgrange.co.uk

 23 - 25 August: Mendip Ramblers Walking Festival. This festival is organised by Mendip Ramblers to celebrate the successes of their volunteer work party over the year. Each year the work party identifies an area and works to make the paths accessible, including building bridges, stiles, gates and waymarks. There will be a choice of walks on each day, ranging from 3 to 12 miles. For more information call 01458 860751, 07989 218856 or visit
www.mendipramblers.org.uk

30 August - 6 September: Scottish Borders Walking Festival. This week long celebration of walking invites you to experience the magnificent selection of guided easy low level valley walks and strenuous guided hill treks all exploring the rich wildlife, fascinating geology, intriguing history and remarkable archaeology associated with the Scottish Borders. 40 magnificent guided walks, sumptuous local cuisine, comprehensive evening entertainment.  Booking essential!  Enquiries to: Visit Scotland. Tel: 0870608 0404 Website: www.visitscottishborders.com Email: bordersinfo@visitscottishborders.com

13 September: Thistle Challenge Sponsored Walk. The Thistle Challenge is different from other sponsored walks in that every participant or group can decide which charity or good cause they would like to fundraise for. In the past years they have had people fundraising for local youth clubs, hospital units, homeless charities, cancer research, support groups and many more. It is taking place on the 13th September this year and the walk will take place in Glenmore, in the beautiful Cairngorms. The walk will be a 16 km circular forest walk. For more information on the walk, log on to www.thistlechallenge.org

3 - 12 October: Cowalfest. This was Scotland's largest walking festival in 2007. Further details of the 2008 festival will be available at a later date. Visit www.cowalfest.org or call 08707 200629.

6 - 10 October: Boscastle Walking Week. Details www.visitboscastle.co.uk or call Boscastle Visitor Centre 01840 250010.

9 - 12 October: Isle of Man Autumn Walking Festival. Details for this festival are yet to be confirmed. Check www.isleofmanwalking.com for regular updates.

26 December 2008 - 4 January 2009 Festival of Winter Walks. Ramblers' longest running festival of walks designed to take full advantage of the delights of winter walking and make regular exercise a New Year's resolution. All walks are free and open to everyone.
More details nearer the time.

 

2009

3-5 April: Ramblers' Association General Council. Annual GB-wide delegate conference at Harper Adams University College, Newport, Shropshire.

Know of an event that is not listed here? Please feel free to contact us and tell us all about it!