South Pennines Walk & Ride Festival

By Rebecca Gibson

Event diary

02 July 2010 16:53

Some of northern England’s finest walking, cycling and riding routes will be celebrated in a two-week long outdoor festival in September.

The South Pennines Walk & Ride Festival, runs from September 11th to 26th, and will feature more than 100 events ranging from guided walks – of anything between two and 20 miles – and nature rambles, to cycling events, mountain bike rides and horse rides.

The festival will be officially opened by Walkers Are Welcome patron Kate Ashbrook. Kate, also a trustee of The Ramblers and general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, is a widely respected access campaigner. The launch, in the Pennine town of Ilkley, West Yorkshire, will take place at 9.45am on the 11th at Riddings Hall and will be marked by several guided walks from the town taking in the famous moor and its mysterious prehistoric landmarks. The opening will also see the launch of the South Pennines Walk, Cycle, Ride project - www.walkridesouthpennines.co.uk - an online initiative to provide visitors with all the information they need to explore the area.

Sandwiched between two national parks the South Pennines it is sometimes overlooked by outdoor enthusiasts, leaving it one of Britain’s best-kept outdoor secrets. The Walk & Ride Festival helps South Pennines residents discover the landscape on their doorstep and encourages visitors from further afield to sample its charms. Where possible, events start within easy reach of public transport.

The Walk & Ride Festival is one of the country’s most diverse and one of only a few to include equestrian events – 2010 will feature various rides as well as the chance to meet rare breed fell ponies.

Programmes detailing all 100-plus events are available from Pennine Prospects, call 01274 433536 or email ann.atkins@pennineprospects.co.uk for more information. The festival’s website, www.southpenninesfestival.co.uk, will feature all events as well as a downloadable version of the programme.