The ever-growing popularity of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival has seen 15 new walks added to this year’s Spring event.
Between 13th-21st May, the Isle of Wight Spring Walking Festival will now see 69 walks led by local volunteers with a passion for the Isle of Wight offering over 220 miles of walking opportunities over the 9-day event.
The Isle of Wight Spring Walking Festival has routes that offer something for everyone, from history to nature, as well as bring the well-documented health and wellness benefits that walking brings, and is the first of two events over the year, with the Autumn Walking festival taking place in October.
The event has now been shortlisted for a 2023 Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce award, in the ‘Made On the Isle of Wight’ category.
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, it is thought to be the longest annual group and social walk in the country to take place over the same route.
For lovers of wildlife, there are many opportunities to discover the Island’s natural inhabitants. Walks guided by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust include a tour that takes in popular local attraction Tapnell Farm and the surrounding countryside which played host to the infamous 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.
Celebrating National Nature Reserve Week, an area ranger from the National Trust will be guiding a walk around Newtown National Reserve, exploring the stunning location and hearing how the National Trust manage the reserve.
A flat walk along the North Coast of the Island will see local hoteliers Peter and Sara lead a circular walk from their business Foresters Hall, along the promenade to Gurnard, taking in the history of the old town of Cowes, including the Royal Yacht Squadron.
History buffs will love a tour from Ventnor Heritage Centre and expert Stephan Roman will be the guide for a walk in the footsteps of Russia’s political radicals, writers and poets who visited Ventnor in the 1850s and 1860s and discussed ways to create an alternative, liberal Russia.
One of the most popular and important fund-raising events on the Isle of Wight calendar falls during the Spring Walking Festival. 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.
Those wishing to walk are being advised to book early, as many have limited availability.