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Spring into action as the best of the South West walking festivals get underway
Here's details of the 2014 festivals.
28 March - 5 April: Boscastle Walking Week.
Join a local guide on a ramble to waterfalls, climb Cornwall’s highest coastal clifftop, or meander along the country lanes and pathways that would have been familiar to Thomas Hardy, whose visit to Boscastle produced some of his finest poetry. More details can be found at www.visitboscastle.com
26 April to 4 May: North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival
Starting in the Ilfracombe area, the festival, which has 41 guided walks to choose from, moves on to Lynton, Porlock and finally to Dunster over the May Day Bank holiday. Each area kicks off with a welcome evening in a local pub to meet the guides. More details can be found at www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk
13-20 September: South East Cornwall Walking Festival
This week-long festival is a great way to explore South East Cornwall on foot and includes seaside locations such as the historic fishing port of Polperro, rural hamlets, the Tamar Valley, and the edge of Bodmin Moor. The walks are led by guides and range from more gentle options of two miles to the more challenging seven-mile trek. www.visitcornwall.com/whats-on
20-28 September: The Great South West Walks 2014 
Don’t miss the opportunity to help protect the coastline with the South West Coast Path Association’s second annual event to help raise funds for improvements along the UK’s most popular National Trail. This year's event includes 100 guided sponsored walks of various lengths, to suit all types of walkers - many will be themed to include heritage, wildlife and family friendly walks. Register your interest at www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk
20-28 September: Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival
Up to 50 guided walks – including Nordic, for those who want to get fit - through beautiful Purbeck countryside and Dorset clifftops for all abilities, including children and dogs on some walks. More details can be found at www.walkswanage.com
27 September to 2 October: Sidmouth Walking Festival
Sidmouth is within East Devon on the Jurassic Coast and has some wonderful scenic walking, both coastal and inland. The town enjoys 'Walkers are Welcome' status and is keen to promote the walking opportunities in the area.
This initial festival will run for six days and there will be a choice of two lengths of walk each day. All walks will be free of charge but numbers will be limited and walks must be booked in advance through the Sidmouth Information Centre.
17th October - 2nd November: Fal River Autumn Walking Festival
The Fal River Autumn Walking Festival is a stunning collection of the very best of what the Fal River has to offer. The area’s wildlife, nature and historical points of interest are on display as the walks meander along the estuary taking in the South West Coast Path, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
This event provides a great opportunity to see the Cornish countryside in all its autumnal glory featuring guided and self-guided walks through some of the most stunning scenery the county has to offer. There are a range of graded walks for all the family (and the dog!) to suit all abilities taking in areas from Falmouth to Truro, the Roseland to the Helford Passage. For more details visit www.falriver.co.uk/walkingfestival
Published on: March 28, 2014
