With its ever-growing popularity the Isle of Wight Walking Festival has seen 15 new walks added.
Between May 13-21, the Isle of Wight Spring Walking Festival will now see 69 walks lead by local volunteers offering over 220 miles of walking opportunities over the nine day event.
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival has routes that offer something for everyone, from history to nature, as well as bringing the well-documented health benefits that walking has. May’s event is the first of two events over the year, with the Autumn Walking festival taking place in October.
One of the newest walks is an incredible opportunity to take on the entire Isle of Wight by participating in a 24-hour, 72 mile walk around the Island. Organised by the Isle of Wight Long Distance Walking Association.
For lovers of wildlife, there are many opportunities to discover the Island’s natural inhabitants. Other walks include the countryside at Afton which played host to the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, when an estimated 600 000 people turned up to hear the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and Joni Mitchell and celebrating National Nature Reserve Week, an area ranger from the National Trust will be guiding a walk around Newtown Reserve.
Girlguiding members often take part or help with one of the most popular and important fund-raising events on the Isle of Wight. Falling during the Spring Walking Festival and raising money for Mountbatten, the Island’s hospice, Walk the Wight welcomes thousands of walkers of all abilities and ages to take part in the event which has a choice of 5 walks ranging from 4 miles, to the iconic 26.5 mile walk across the Isle of Wight.
For those wishing to take part in walks you are advised to book early, as many have limited availabilty.i
Photo of “Pepper Pot” (top) from VIOW.