People throughout Great Britain are being invited to step out with the Ramblers during its free, annual Festival of Winter Walks, where walkers across the country will be leaving footprints in the snow as they explore Britain at its wintry best.
Ramblers groups will be leading hundreds of free walks from 19 December 2015 until 3 January 2016. From short festive strolls to blow away the cobwebs, to heartier rambles to burn off the Christmas indulgence and kick-start new year’s resolutions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Ramblers’ chief executive, Benedict Southworth, said: “Winter is one of the best times to go out for a walk. There’s something truly magical about putting on your hat and gloves, heading out with your loved ones and perhaps even being the first person to leave footprints in the snow.
“Our popular Festival of Winter Walks is our Christmas gift to the nation, so that everyone can enjoy the wonders of a winter walk. Our walks during the festival are free, fun, friendly and open to everyone, so wrap up warm and join us as we enjoy the season the way we know best, on our feet.”
There are shorter walks on offer throughout the festival in England and Wales too. Walking for Health, England’s largest network of health walk schemes, run by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support and Let’s Walk Cymru, run by Ramblers Cymru, will also be leading free short walks for people to enjoy.
The Festival of Winter Walks also caters for anyone preferring to step out at their own leisure. People can download a walk from Ramblers Routes, an online library of Britain’s best walks, and head out for their own winter wander with family and friends. There are hundreds of routes throughout Great Britain for everyone to enjoy, and hundreds more for Ramblers members.
Benedict added: “The Festival of Winter Walks is free and open to everyone, but anyone who gets the walking bug can visit www.ramblers.org.uk/become-a-member to find out more about becoming a Ramblers member. Our members enjoy access to over 45,000 group walks led by our volunteers each year, as well as exclusive walking routes that can be downloaded and quarterly editions of Walk magazine. Your membership will also be helping to protect the nations footpaths for generations to come.”
For further information about the Festival of Winter Walks and to browse the festive walks or routes on offer, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks.
