By Press Release
Celebrating 25 years in 2024, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival has released the first set of walks that can be enjoyed in this year’s spring event.
The multi-award winning event is back from 11-19 May, aimed at encouraging visitors to enjoy the beautiful Island, as the days become warmer and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve bursts into life.
Started by IW Council in 1999 and taken on by Visit Isle of Wight in 2017, the IW Walking Festival continues to lead the way, with over 70 walks launched yesterday. (Wednesday March 6)
Extending the shoulder season to encourage visitors to the Island at times other than the traditional six weeks in summer, the IW Spring Walking Festival will host a number of walks, with a variety of themes.
New walks include a special 25th Anniversary walk from Chairman of the IW Ramblers David Yates with a 25km long distance ramble starting and finishing from The Three Bishops Pub in Brighstone.
2024 also marks another special milestone, the 175th anniversary of Charles Dickens spending three months on the Island writing chapters of David Copperfield. Join the Dickens Walk around the charming village of Bonchurch to find out more.
A Walk Through the Heavens, with Stokey Woodall, known as the Star-man, is an incredible and unique solar system walk starting and finishing at Ventnor’s Wellington Hotel and takes place daily.
Classic walks which are always favourites with visitors include the 7-mile Three Peaks of West Wight on May 18, while a chance to explore the natural landscape is available on May 11 during the Tapnell Trail Wildlife Walk, with the Hampshire and IW Wildlife Trust.
The IW Walking Festival also continues to support the Mountbatten Walk The Wight, which takes place on Sunday May 12.
Amy Summers, Sustainable Travel, Trade & Exhibitions Manager at Visit IW says the return of the Spring Walking Festival is always eagerly anticipated: “It’s so good to be celebrating the IW Walking Festival’s return this May, particularly as it is the 25th anniversary of this fantastic event!
“This spring we’ll be launching with more walks than we’ve ever had before, which means there are even more reasons to visit the Island, and that’s thanks to the volunteer walk leaders who make the Walking Festival happen.
“It’s those walk leaders that we’re hoping people will vote for in the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar awards and I urge everyone to vote for them!”
This year could see a double celebration as the IW Walking Festival volunteer walk leaders are shortlisted in the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar Awards.
Represented by the IW Ramblers, the walk leaders were nominated by Visit IW for their passion and willingness to share their Island with the thousands of visitors that take part in the IW Walking Festival.
To vote for the IW Walking Festival leaders as England’s Tourism Superstars, go to: https://visitenglandawards.secure-platform.com/tourismsuperstar/gallery/rounds/304/details/27205
