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:
2009
03 - 06 September:
Milngavie Book & Arts Festival
This year this exciting festival of Scottish writers and artists has a programme of walks led by Bearsden and Milngavie Ramblers. Nearly all the walks are short and easy and all start from the town centre which is easily accessible by frequent public transport from central Glasgow.
View all walks.
More about the festival.
05 - 13 September:
Bedfordshire Walking FestivalOnly a few weeks to go before the Bedfordshire Walking Festival takes its first step. In the 9 days between 5th and 13th September over 60 walks will take place ranging from 1-3 mile Walks4Health, to Interest Rambles, to 5-7 mile half day walks, to 12 mile full day walks, to a 40 mile 3 day trip across Bedfordshire along the Greensand Ridge Path. The Festival makes use of public transport wherever practical and in particular the Marston Vale Railway line on the first weekend which includes a special Sunday service.
The programme is available via the Web site www.bedswalkfest.co.uk or via local Tourist Information Centres or by telephoning 01234 353704 (Office Hours Mon-Fri 9-00am to 6-00pm). Alternatively you can download a pdf version here.
05 - 13 September: 
Kielder Walking FestivalFollowing last year's success, the Kielder Walking Festival is back for a second year. Join one of the experienced local guides, or choose one of the self guided options, to explore and enjoy a variety of walks in the stunning North of Tyne and Redesdale countryside.The Walks vary in length and difficulty but there is something for everyone.
Contact: Shone Hendrick Events and Activities Development Officer Shona.Hendrick@kielderpartnership.co.uk , t:01661 855503.
Box Office:Kielder Castle 01434 250209
5 - 13 September:
Pendle Walking Festival
Over 80 free guided walks in some of Lancashire's most beautiful countryside, from the easy to the challenging. Includes the ever popular Pendle Witches Walk and the Pendle Three Peaks Challenge. New this year is the 45 mile Pendle Way over four days. For a free festival programme please call 01282 661981 or email tourism@pendle.gov.uk. The Programme will also be available to download by Mid May on www.pendle.gov.uk
5 – 13 September
Scottish Borders Walking Festival – In the Footsteps of the Reivers
Location: Jedburgh & Hawick, Scottish Borders
Level: Easy – Strenuous
Walk Prices: Free - £13
Online Booking Available at: www.borderswalking.com
The 15th Scottish Borders Walking Festival, part of Homecoming Scotland, celebrates the lively and often colourful history of the Border Reivers. From the early fourteenth century to the early seventeenth century, the Scottish Borders experienced a period of intense conflict. Warfare eventually bred lawlessness and in order to survive, many ordinary Borderers were forced to turn to a life of “reiving” - cross border raids to steal. "In the Footsteps of the Reivers" is a 9-day festival of themed walks and a full programme of social events, taking in the stunning scenery surrounding Jedburgh and Hawick (including Denholm, Newcastleton and the Cheviot Hills). After launching the trend for walking festivals in Scotland, in 1995, the Scottish Borders Walking Festival has achieved a loyal following. This year’s festival features an expanded walking programme offering over 60 walks with something to suit all ages and abilities from very easy strolls to strenuous hill climbs. There is also an extensive range of social activities designed to keep you entertained across the 9 days of the festival. The towns and surrounding areas include rolling hills, beautiful river valleys, extensive woodlands and the more challenging terrain of the Cheviot Hills.
For more information, visit www.borderswalking.com
12 - 27 September
SOUTH PENNINES "WALK & RIDE" FESTIVAL
A 16 day festival in this wonderful area of wild high moors & narrow valleys straddling the Yorkshire/Lancashire border.
Access many of the events by using the superb network of bus & rail services in the area.
Free programme tel: 01274 – 433536
or email: ann.atkins@pennineprospects.co.uk
or web www.pennineprospects.co.uk
25 - 27 September
Coniston Walking Festival
A walking festival which aims to reveal and celebrate the landscape in and around Coniston, the Lake District.Featuring a lively programme of evening entertainment, daytime activities for all the family and historical adventures, it's a walking festival with a difference.This year will see two famous celebrities in the field of high level walking, Rebecca Stevens (the first British lady to reach the summit of Everest) & Leo Houlding - Take me to the Edge!
Lucky local lad Leo Houlding takes us on a whirlwind world tour of his latest adventures and rise from climbings golden boy to celebrity extreme sportsman. From playing Sandy Irvine in 1920's gear at 25,000 feet and bouldering at 28,000 feet on Everest, to riding erupting volcanoes, BASE jumping into caves and spending a million pounds of Richard Branson's money making his own TV show for Virgin One "Take me to the Edge". For the last few years Leo has been experimenting with parachute-assisted descents from big wall climbs or Para-Alpinism. Prepare to witness epic adventures the likes of which you have probably never imagined. There's a packed programme of activities which includes walks, films and family friendly activities. So whether you want to spend an energetic day on Coniston Old Man, explore the literary characters of Coniston with the family, or sit back and watch one of the films, have a look at the full programme for some great ideas! Please remember that many of the activities have limited numbers for your safety and enjoyment. Please try and book early to avoid disappointment! Our Website is www.conistonwalkingfestival.org
10 – 17 October:
Crieff & Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst
The core of the festival is a daily walking programme, which includes walks of different levels, ranging from themed easy to extra hard over a series of munros —
all within one hour’s travelling of Crieff, the largest town in the West Perthshire area. It also has full programme of other outdoor activities, including rock climbing, canyoneering, bush craft and navigational skill, the ‘Hairy Coo Mountain Bike Challenge’ and a complementary programme of evening social activities involving live music, comedy and talks. The festival’s name — Drovers’ Tryst — provides a link to the history and heritage of the area, when Crieff hosted Scotland’s main cattle market (the Tryst) during the 1700’s. Many of the walks organised during the Tryst week make use of routes that would have been used by the cattle drovers of old, and the week-long festival is a way of replicating something of the sense of ‘festival’ would have been felt by the drovers and the residents of Crieff during the market week. 2009 see the Tryst linking up with the Homecoming Scotland. For more information see www.droverstryst.co.uk
October 9th-18th
Haltwhistle Autumn Walking Festival
This is the 14th walking festival organised by a group of enthusiastic walkers based in Haltwhistle. As usual our walks take in the stunning and varied scenery of the area. 25 walks are offered over the 10 days of the festival, with walks for all abilities and ages. Our headline walk this year is a 3 day walk from Hermitage Castle in Scotland to Haltwhistle, walking through the Debatable Lands where the Reivers' held sway. Special interest walks include a Night Navigation walk, Fungal foray, River management, Tree walk, Weaving workshop. There are 3 walks specifically for children and families. Prebooking is essential. Other walks explore the best sections of Hadrian's Wall, and the beautiful South Tyne valley. Full details are available on www.haltwhistle.org
26 December 2009 - 3 January 2010
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.
Know of an event that is not listed here? Please feel free to contact us and tell us all about it!
