Ever wondered what Nordic walking is all about, or wanted to brush up on your navigation and map reading know how? Perhaps you’re curious about pilgrimage routes, in need of a wellbeing walk or fancy a cultural wander around an historic city?
The third YHA Festival of Walking takes place this autumn with a wide range of guided social walks from hostels across England and Wales. From YHA Boggle Hole on the Yorkshire coast to YHA Broad Haven in Pembrokeshire, from YHA The Sill on Hadrian’s Wall to YHA Canterbury in Kent, we have a great selection of walking venues where you can learn new skills and gain confidence in your walking ability. Other social walks are designed to care for mind and body and some are more adventurous and lead you along National Trails or explore National Parks with local guides.
Below is all you need to know of how to make the most of our partners during the walking festival. Happy rambling!
Advice from the experts
Although you have to pre-book, the social walks are free of charge and open to everyone. They’re mostly moderate in length and designed to be stimulating, instructive and fun. Some are led by knowledgeable volunteers from the British Mountaineering Council, the representative body for hill walkers and climbers who have some handy tips on how to stay safe when you’re out on the trail or in the hills.
The Ramblers remain a core festival partner and as the nation’s walking charity they continue to promote the pleasures and health benefits of walking for everyone. Another festival supporter is Cotswold Outdoor, who have some expert advice on choosing the right kit, preparing for a walk and preventing blisters whilst out and about in the great outdoors.
Map and navigation know-how is all important for walkers, which is why we’re delighted that Ordnance Survey continue to offer an exclusive one-month OS Maps Premium subscription for just £1 as part of the Festival of Walking.
This year’s social walks are delivered by a wide range of trusted and knowledgeable partners, including experienced guides from organisations like British Nordic Walking, the National Trust, National Trails and British Pilgrimage Trust, as well as other qualified instructors and outdoor leaders who are specialists in their fields. You are definitely in safe hands!
YHA hostels – your base for a good walk
Our network of hostels across England and Wales offers great walking opportunities year-round, which is why we’ve developed a series of 170 self-guided walking routes from selected hostels that can be enjoyed during the festival and beyond. The circular walks all begin and end at a hostel and range from short and easy rambles through to longer and more challenging hill walks, plus there are accessible routes for people of all abilities. The self-guided route maps are free to download from hostel websites and printed copies are also available.
Not only are there free maps and guided social walks, but we are also offering 20% off private rooms, dorms and YHA Camping & Cabins at selected hostels during the walking festival period, as well as 20% off all group packages. So, after a great walk exploring a new area why not relax at a hostel and make a proper break of it?
Walking for all
We firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy walking, which is why we’re featuring accessible walks at Malham and Okehampton for people with limited mobility and those taking the first step to better health and wellbeing. In addition, we’re also providing bursaries to help community groups to organise their own walks from hostels as part of the festival. Over 30 walks are being held by groups from our Outdoor Citizens network, all of whom are actively working to break down barriers to the outdoors. We’re grateful for the support from the Pilgrim Trust to make this happen, and also through funding from Sport England who aim to help everyone feel able to engage in sport and physical activity, regardless of age, background or level of ability.
So, wherever you choose to walk and however you prefer to do it, head to a hostel this autumn and go for a walk with YHA – your base for a really good ramble.
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Written by Andrew McCloy, Walks Programme Manager at YHA
