THE TENTH IW Walking Festival will feature the most comprehensive range of walks ever held in the UK.
The festival, this year held between May 3 and 18 will feature something for everyone – from walks designed to help single people find partners, to others aimed at charting the Island rock and roll history and dinosaur heritage.
A total of 265 walks have been arranged by the IW Council and partner organisers, including the 72 mile 24 hour non stop walk around the Island to a 300 yard “walk around the solar system”, the programme is designed to cater for walkers of all ages, abilities and interests. A singles walk has even been arranged for hikers and their pet pooches.
The festival will be launched at Newport Quay by the Island high sheriff Alan Titchmarsh as part of the River Festival, followed by a evening with TV’s Ben Fogle at Medina Theatre.
Then the programme of walks unfolds. Full details will be distributed to every Island home but the list includes;
* Library walks and a reading ramble
* Dinosaur and geology walks
* Walks by English Heritage and the National Trust
* Jimi Hendrix Experience walk
* Christian Aid walk, singing walk, speed dating walk
* Tea party, pub and food walks
* Red squirrel and bat walks
* Health walks, meditation walks, yoga walks and Nordic Walking
* Ghost walks, orienteering and geocaching walks.
* Children’s story walks. Duck feeding expeditions, library treasure hunt walks, troll walk, rhyme and toddle walk and pirate parade.
Elaine Cesar said: “Over the years we have steadily increased the number of walks we offer and also the type. So many people come together to support the event we have been able to provide walks that really offer something for everyone”.
“Ten years ago there were just 39 walks and under 5,000 walkers. Last year there were 200 walks and 15,500 participants. We are hoping that this year’s biggest and most varied selection of walks will mean more people than ever join in.”
More than half of those who register for walks are visitors to the island with many of those international visitors. The walk also attracts nationwide and international publicity last year estimated at worth around £137,000.
The event has proved life-changing for some walkers — two couples who met during the speed dating walk have now got married and a third wedding is also very much on the cards.
The hugely successful Walk the Wight is also held during the festival. This is organised by the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and last year some 5,500 participants raised in excess of £220,000 for the Hospice funds.
IW Council David Pugh said: “The IW Walking Festival has grown to become yet another truly international event the Island is privileged to host.
“It is an event that meets so many of our Eco Island aims. It encourages people to get out and enjoy the Island’s fantastic environment and do some in an invigorating and healthy manner.”
So successful has the festival been in raising the profile of walking, a further event — a celebratory walking weekend – is also being planned for October 24-27.
Organised by the IW Council the IW Walking Festival in partnership with the Ordnance Survey, is sponsored by Red Funnel, Wightlink and Millets.
Partners are the AONB project, Natural England, IW Tourism, Country Walking, English Heritage, National Trust, Green Island, IW County Press, Ramblers Association, IW Radio, Rights of Way, Walking the Way to Health and Southern Vectis.
For further information contact www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk
