Crickhowell Walking Festival, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
9-17 March
One of the oldest festivals of the year, the charming town of Crickhowell, surrounded by the khaki-purple hues of the Bannau Brycheiniog national park (Brecon Beacons), has a well-established walking festival boasting 81 different walks this year. It ranges from two to 17 miles. Many are dog friendly; From an easy walk along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal to a scenic walk along the western Fans (peaks), new for 2024, they’re all rated for effort and difficulty. Stay at The Bear, a 500-year-old coaching inn at the top of Crickhowell’s picturesque High Street, with double occupancy from £142 B&B (bearhotel.co.uk).
crickhowellfestival.com
Walk on Scilly
12-21 April
The Walk Scilly festival traditionally kicks off the season on the Isles of Scilly, with walking guides and local experts coming together to share the archipelago’s rich history, windswept landscapes and rich diversity of wildlife. The program has not yet been announced, but the walks generally include foraging walks, sea safaris and walks on the five main islands, as well as wild, uninhabited islets. You’ll find yourself at The Atlantic, a lively pub right on the water’s edge on St Mary’s, the largest of the islands, with comfortable rooms starting from £165 B&B (atlanticinnscilly.co.uk).
visitislesofscilly.com
Ulverston WalkFest, Lake District
27 April-6 May
Located at the top of the Furness Peninsula, Ulverston is within easy reach of both Morecambe Bay and the Cumbrian Falls. The WalkFest program highlights the area’s diverse past, from slate mines to centuries-old mills and lime kilns, sleepy villages and historic castles, as well as the rugged Cumbrian countryside with walks through Windermere, Coniston and Grizedale Forest. Grab a room at the Bay Horse Hotel, which has stunning views of the River Leven estuary and has cozy double rooms from £100 B&B (thebayhorsehotel.co.uk).
ulverstonwalkfest.com
Ride2Stride, Settle-Carlisle
30 April-6 May
A week-long annual celebration of the Western Dales and Eden Valley, the festival’s diverse walking program starts and ends at stations on the Settle-Carlisle line, one of the most spectacular rail line extensions in the UK. New for 2024, Trail Tasters are annual favorites as well as walks that offer the chance to try sections of some of the area’s long-distance trails, and there will be live music and entertainment at bars in the area. The Golden Lion in Settle is a great base as a cozy pub with super comfortable rooms from £120 B&B (goldenlionsettle.co.uk).
ride2stride.co.uk
Isle of Wight Walking Festival
11-19 May and 5-13 October
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival laces up 500 miles of trails through the island in spring and autumn. There are walks focusing on every aspect of the island’s history, from Queen Victoria and Osborne House to dinosaur walks, as well as early morning walks to catch the dawn chorus. The walks are rated according to speed and difficulty, and many offer the chance to discover the island’s rare flora and fauna. To be at the heart of the action, stay at the Union Inn in Cowes, a lively fire-lit pub, B&B from £80 (unioninncowes.co.uk).
isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk
Ballater Walking Festival, Aberdeenshire
18-24 Mayou
With three walks each day – one strong, one moderate and one easy – Ballater, while not as grand as some festivals, offers truly spectacular (albeit challenging) walks through towering munros and granite tors that take walkers into some of the best walks around the world. Dramatic landscape of Scotland. There are gentler walks that offer excellent bird and wildlife viewing, and the chance to meet local farmers and discover some of the culinary delights of the area. The Balmoral Arms is a charming, dog-friendly inn with stylish rooms from £133 B&B (crerarhotels.com).
walkballater.com
National Forest Walking Festival, East Midlands
18-30 May
The National Forest, a 200-square-mile stretch of lush woodland in the heart of the Midlands, is at its most beautiful in May, with its carpets of bluebells and masses of flowers. The Walking Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2024 with walks rated from easy to strenuous. The program is now available to download, featuring more than 90 walks, including history-themed walks and the chance to try Nordic Walking and Forest Bathing, as well as “Bench to Bank” walks for those with less mobility. Dovecliff Hall is an elegant country house near Burton upon Trent, offering luxury double rooms from £120 B&B (dovecliffhallhotel.co.uk).
nationalforest.org
Moray Walk and Open Air Festival
14-24 June
A great choice for those looking for other activities to enjoy besides hiking, this 10-day celebration includes everything from canoeing and bird walking to kayak paddling and bushwalking; It includes a variety of walks, from gentle seaside strolls to endurance walks through the Cairngorms. Many activities, with five difficulty levels, require advance booking; The shortest walks and activities last around two hours, while the most challenging last up to a full day. Treat yourself to a B&B (dowanshotel.com) stay at Dowans, a luxury country estate in Aberlour, from £250.
moraywalkoutdoorfest.co.uk
Mid Devon Walking Festival
14-29 September
Already diary-worthy, this new festival for 2024 in tranquil Mid Devon will be humming along with walkers in September with a program of guided and self-guided walks, from family-friendly trails to challenging walks. Alongside the walks, there will be live music, food events and farmers’ markets, as well as the chance to take part in a vineyard walk or a walk themed around the flora, fauna or history of the region. Set in stunning countryside on the edge of the Exmoor valley, stay at the Hartnoll Hotel in comfortable double rooms from £130 B&B (hartnollhotel.uk).
middevon.gov.uk
Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Essex
27 September-6 October
Take self-guided or expert walks along 75 miles of Saltmarsh coastline, delve into the area’s maritime history or learn about the rich diversity of bird species. There are self-guided routes downloadable from the website or a variety of guided walks through vineyards, nature reserves and across the wide sky along the coastline, which is also rich in wartime heritage. Stay at the Limes in Maldon B&B (thelimesmaldon.co.uk) from £99, an elegant townhouse with a busy Italian restaurant and stylish double rooms.
visitmaldondistrict.co.uk/walkingfestival