The Ramblers is reminding people in the West Midlands to step out for Walk About this September - its biggest ever free nationwide walking event, offering a walk to suit everyone. The festival takes place from Saturday 3 September until Sunday 11 September. With over a thousand walks all over Britain, there’s something for everyone to enjoy – from a short stroll in the park to a challenging hike up a mountain.
During the festival, people in the West Midlands can enjoy the following group-led walks:
Evening Ramble: Red House Park and Merrions Wood
Date: Wednesday 7th September
Start time: 6.30pm
Distance: 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This leisurely summer evening walk heads through Red House Park and Merrions Wood.
Starting point: The Malt Shovel, Newton Road, Great Barr, B43 6HN
Group: Birmingham City Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3865594
Barnt Green and Lickey Hills
Date: Saturday 10 September
Start time: 9.40am
Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This walk is suitable for all the family, a great opportunity for people to join the City of Birmingham Ramblers for a walk in the countryside.
Starting point: Meet at 9.40am at the number 98 bus stop (MS15), Moor Street, for the 10.00am bus to Rednal.
Group: City of Birmingham Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3865597
For those who prefer to walk alone, or lead their own walks, the Ramblers has picked its favourite routes in the West Midlands, available from Ramblers Routes - an online library of Britain’s best walks:
Three parks walk, South Birmingham
Length: 5.5 miles
Walking time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: Tea rooms, Kings Heath Park
Description: A pleasant walk encompassing three main park areas in south Birmingham, each boasting an array of water features, flower beds and trees, making it an extremely attractive route wholly within a highly urbanised area.
The Roaches, Staffordshire
Length: 8.6 miles
Walking time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty: Leisurely
Starting point: Roaches Gate car park, 1 mile west of Upper Hulme
Description: This circular walk along 'The Roaches', north of Leek, takes you through Staffordshire’s Peak District with weird rock formations; sightings of peregrine falcons and red grouse; and Lud's Church - a hidden cleft with its own microclimate and flora.
The Ramblers has also launched a free online tracker that allows people to log their walking activity and make the most of everything the festival has to offer.
The Ramblers director of walking development, Simon Barnett said: “We all know walking can do wonders for our wellbeing, which is why we want to get the nation on its feet with our biggest free walking festival to date. Walking is good for our health and our minds and we want everyone to be able to experience the many benefits and joys it can bring.
“We want to encourage people to get more active, which is why we’ve introduced our new online tracker, which allows people to log all their walking activity and monitor their progress. It’s a great way to build up activity levels and stay motivated.”
Designed to suit both the seasoned walker and someone taking their first steps, there are lots of badges and rewards for walking regularly, completing long distances and reaching particular milestones. For example it could be for walking every day in a month or completing the equivalent of the length of the Cotswold Way.
Anyone can take part by visiting www.Ramblers.org.uk/walkabout and starting to log their walking trips – whether short or long, in the town or the countryside, alone or with friends.
Simon added: “We’re hoping the online element of Walk About will encourage people in the West Midlands to walk more so we can create happier, healthier communities. Not only can you collect badges but there’s also a leaderboard, so people can race their friends and family to the top.
“With a walk to suit everyone, we want the nation to step out with us this September and join us as we Walk About Britain.”
Walk About is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery to help everyone, everywhere enjoy walking.
Clara Govier, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are able to support the Ramblers with their exciting new walking festival, which we know will help thousands of people discover the joys of walking.”
