Celebrating 25 years in 2024, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival has released the first set of walks that can be enjoyed in this year’s spring event.
The multi-award winning event is back from 11th-19th May, aimed at encouraging visitors to enjoy the beautiful Isle of Wight, as the days become warmer and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve bursts into life.
Launched in 1999
Started by Isle of Wight council in 1999 and taken on by Visit Isle of Wight in 2017, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival continues to lead the way, with over 70 walks launched yesterday (6th March 2024).
Extending the shoulder season to encourage visitors to the Isle of Wight at times other than the traditional six weeks in summer, the Isle of Wight Spring Walking Festival will host a number of walks, with a variety of themes.
A range of new walks
New walks include a special 25th Anniversary walk from Chairman of the Isle of Wight Ramblers, David Yates, with a 25km long distance ramble starting and finishing from The Three Bishops Pub in Brighstone.
2024 also marks another special milestone, the 175th anniversary of Charles Dickens spending three months on the Island writing chapters of David Copperfield. Join the Dickens Walk around the charming village of Bonchurch to find out more.
A Walk Through the Heavens, with Stokey Woodall, known as the Star-man, is an incredible and unique solar system walk starting and finishing at Ventnor’s Wellington Hotel and takes place daily.
The classics
Classic walks which are always favourites with visitors include the seven-mile Three Peaks of West Wight on 18th May, while a chance to explore the natural landscape is available on 11th May during the Tapnell Trail Wildlife Walk, with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival also continues to support Mountbatten‘s Walk The Wight, which takes place on Sunday 12th May.
Summers: Volunteer walk leaders make the Walking Festival happen
Amy Summers, Sustainable Travel, Trade and Exhibitions Manager at Visit Isle of Wight says the return of the Spring Walking Festival is always eagerly anticipated
“It’s so good to be celebrating the Isle of Wight Walking Festival’s return this May, particularly as it is the 25th anniversary of this fantastic event!
“This spring we’ll be launching with more walks than we’ve ever had before, which means there are even more reasons to visit the Isle of Wight, and that’s thanks to the volunteer walk leaders who make the Walking Festival happen.
“It’s those walk leaders that we’re hoping people will vote for in the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar awards and I urge everyone to vote for them!”
Vote in the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar Awards
This year could see a double celebration as the Isle of Wight Walking Festival volunteer walk leaders are shortlisted in the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar Awards.
Represented by the Isle of Wight Ramblers, the walk leaders were nominated by Visit Isle of Wight for their passion and willingness to share their Island with the thousands of visitors that take part in the Isle of Wight Walking Festival.
To vote for the Isle of Wight Walking Festival leaders as England’s Tourism Superstars, go to the website.
News shared by Simon on behalf of Visit Isle of Wight. Ed
