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 second YHA Festival of Walking takes place this autumn with a wide range of guided social walks from hostels across England and Wales. Although many are themed, there are plenty of straightforward and enjoyable countryside rambles from amazing locations such as YHA Boggle Hole on Yorkshire’s Robin Hood’s Bay, YHA Ambleside in the Lake District and YHA The Sill at Hadrian’s Wall. 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 walks are free of charge and open to everyone. They’re mostly moderate in length and designed so you can meet other walkers and build confidence and skills. Many are led by knowledgeable volunteers from the British Mountaineering Council, the representative body for hill walkers and climbers. Once again, we’re grateful for their expert technical walking advice, so that everyone stays safe when out and about during the festival. Here are more handy tips which you can use when out on a gentle ramble or on a challenging hike.
A number of group walks are also being organised by local Ramblers groups, including a walk around the town and coastline of Berwick-on-Tweed and another exploring the natural history of the New Forest. Like YHA, the Ramblers were formed in the 1930s and as the nation’s walking charity they continue to campaign for an open and accessible countryside so that everyone can enjoy the pleasures and health benefits of walking. With over 500 Ramblers groups across Britain, you’re in reliable hands!
The sociability of walking
The YHA Festival of Walking is a celebration of our most popular recreational activity – and with the good company and conversation that flows when you step out with others it’s hard not to see why. Whether you’re a solo rambler or love the benefits of walking in a group, walking is such a sociable activity. It’s a way to meet new people, discover new places and a tonic for physical and mental good health. Festival partners Cotswold Outdoor certainly know this, for not only have they been helping people to discover the great outdoors by offering quality clothing, equipment and accessories for almost 50 years, but they’re providing free cuppa and cake back at the hostel after every festival walk. Cotswold Outdoor have also provided funding for four Outdoor Citizens groups!
Check out their website for expert advice on choosing the right kit, preparing for a walk and preventing blisters whilst out and about in the great outdoors.
Of course, on any walk you need to know where you’re going, which is why we’ve included some navigation skills walks so you can learn new techniques (or simply get to grips with the basics), aided by friendly and knowledgeable professionals. An indispensable element of all this is world class mapping, which is why we’re delighted that Ordnance Survey remains a key YHA Walks partner. They’ve been producing iconic paper maps for over two centuries, but now their award-winning digital mapping app, OS Maps, offers detailed mapping on any device with thousands of ready-made routes, plus stunning 3D views and augmented reality. And you can enjoy an exclusive one-month OS Maps Premium subscription for just £1 as part of the Festival of Walking.
We’re also delighted that for the first time the Festival includes walks organised and led by our partners at the National Trust and the National Parks and National Trails, with amazing walks ranging from the Peak District and the Cleveland Way to Pembrokeshire and the Brecon Beacons.
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
