Organisers of Monmouthshire’s walking festival have put their best feet forward to launch the first event of its kind in the county.
Almost two years of planning have culminated in the ten-day celebration, which takes walkers all over Monmouthshire, on short circular routes and longer hikes using some of the area’s most popular long-distance trails.
The festival has been organised by adventa, Monmouthshire’s Rural Development Programme, in partnership with Monmouthshire County Council’s Countryside and Tourism sections.
Many volunteers have trained as walk leaders with Monmouthshire County Council’s Countryside Service, as well as receiving first-aid training. Local Ramblers Association groups have also contributed leaders and ideas for walks and themes. Organisers are confident that this preparation will enable the festival to become an annual event, bringing hundreds of walkers and economic benefits to the county.
Louise McGuinness, Festival & Events Coordinator, said, “Our ambition was to create a blueprint for an annual walking festival. The help and goodwill we’ve received has been incredible and we’re looking forward to a fantastic ten days of autumn walking in this beautiful county, and many repeats of the festival in the future.”
Councillor Brian Hood, Vice Chairman of Monmouthshire County Council said, “Walking is one of the best ways to keep fit and active and the quality and choice of walks in the county is second to none. Many people are already aware of this but many more have yet to find out just how wonderful Monmouthshire is for people on foot”.
Launching the festival, which lasts until Sunday 31st October, was a nine mile coastal walk along the Severn Estuary from Undy to Chepstow, which forms the first stage of a Round the County Boundary Challenge. Councillor Hood completed the walk in clear, crisp weather and pronounced it “invigorating!”
