Building upon the success of last year’s month-long event, Alton Town Council is once again staging its Walking Festival throughout the entire month of May.
The programme of walks on offer is intended to entice even more people to get out and take in some of the best views available in Hampshire.
This year, the program includes evening walks of up to two hours duration for the first time, to cater for families who wish to walk together either after school or work. The festival will also continue to encourage those who have not considered walking before to take the opportunity of taking their first steps towards improving their health and wellbeing.
The festival will offer walkers a range of guided walks enabling them to explore the town and surrounding countryside, featuring walks of 2-21 mile distances as well as several feature walks taking in longer distances.
Alton Town council have worked with local walking groups and walking enthusiasts to put together a programme of walks to develop walking in and around Alton.
Alton Ramblers will be providing a number of Walk Leaders for this year’s festival offering 12 walks covering a range of routes designed for the experienced walkers. Other volunteer groups including Walk Alton will feature walks for beginners as well as those looking to improve their fitness.
On Wednesday 1st May the Alton Walking Festival will launch with the Full Circuit of the ‘Six Hills of Alton’ – this walk was first proposed by local walk enthusiast Robert Athis in 2013, who sadly died before its launch at last year’s Festival.
All walks need to be booked in advance. For further details and to book visit www.alton.gov.uk or email communiy@alton.gov.uk.
