Keen walkers of all abilities can now get tickets to take part in Monmouthshire’s first full-length walking festival, which takes place this autumn from 22nd to 31st October.
Tickets for all walks are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are on sale from adventa, Monmouthshire’s Rural Development Programme, which has organised the festival with cooperation from Monmouthshire County Council and local groups of the Ramblers Association.
The festival includes 32 walks of varying length and difficulty, all of which have been chosen to highlight the natural and cultural heritage of the county.
adventa’s Festival & Events Coordinator, Louise McGuinness, said:
“The festival programme includes several day-long walks of up to 12.5 miles, as well as a 17-mile Wye Valley walk between Chepstow and Monmouth.
“Many of the longer walks form part of the ‘Round the Boundary’ challenge, which follows the majority of Monmouthshire’s perimeter through extremely varied landscapes, including limestone gorge, hills, canal, lowland river valley and coastal flats. All participants who complete the challenge will receive a certificate marking their achievement.”
Many shorter walks, some only a mile long and following urban or self-guided routes, are also featured, ensuring that the festival is as inclusive as possible.
And, to reduce car dependency and environmental impact, many start and finish points have been coordinated with local bus routes and timetables, whilst, for more remote walks, minibuses are being laid on which will collect walkers from central locations.
All ticket purchasers will be entered into a prize draw, with a chance to win one of three prizes: two nights bed and breakfast for two people at The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny; three nights self-catering at Cider House, Llanvihangel Crucorney, managed by Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages; or a pair of walking guides covering the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons, published by Pocket Mountains Ltd and signed by the author.
The walking festival programme contains more information about the prize draw as well as full instructions on how to book places on walks. All walks have a maximum of twenty places available, so anyone interested in taking part should act quickly to avoid disappointment.
All details are available on the festival website, www.walkinginmonmouthshire.co.uk; alternatively, phone 01873 736035 to request a brochure.
