Macclesfield: The annual Bollington Walking Festival is back - and will take place between September 25 and October 3 2021.

Once again, the Bollington Walking Festival team have put together a programme of walks for the next Bollington Walking Festival.

After a breather in 2020 they feel sure that the keen walkers among you will be more than ready to return to explore the wonderful countryside of Bollington and its environment!

The team will be running the Festival in whatever form they can, bearing in mind any restrictions in place at the time.

There are around 30 walks, including all the regular favourites – the children's Bear Hunt, the Mayor's Boundary Walk, Nordic walks, an art-themed walk and a photography walk. Lengths range from half a mile to twenty miles, so there's something for everyone!

Why not explore the history of the place where you live, or visit a local brewery? Maybe you want to get your walking confidence back? You might want to develop your creative skills in art or photography, or want to have fun with your children or grandchildren.

You'll be sure to find some appealing walks in the programme for the 11th Walking Festival.

The event is generously supported yet again by Bollington Town Council.

New for this year are a 'Walkers' Picnic', exploring the pastoral landscape of Adlington and Butley Town; a walk to Marple for lunch returning along different parts of the canal towpath; a meander along the saddle of Kerridge to Rainow; and the ascent of Shining Tor.

Many of the walks are themed, including an art walk and opportunity to paint, led by a Bollington artist; a photography walk with expert tips and advice on hand; heritage walks looking at the history of Bollington; an exploration of the work of KRIV (Kerridge Ridge and Ingersley Vale conservation group); and a nature walk led by East Cheshire Rangers.

There's also a canal walk led by the Canal and River Trust. But of course, what the festival is really all about is walking, so there are plenty of opportunities for those who just want to enjoy our beautiful local countryside!

If you want to walk at any pace in any direction for as short or long a distance as you like, the Festival has it covered. There's a short, mindful walk organised by the Medical Centre, a variety of walks in the popular 5–7-mile category, some of 7–18 miles, and a 20-mile walk led by the Long Distance Walkers' Association. Once again there is the specialist Sensory Walk organised by the East Cheshire Eye Society, and two Nordic Walks led by a local instructor.

Last but by no means least, children are welcome on many of the walks, and there's a specific activity for pre-schoolers – the well-established 'Bear Hunt' led by Bollington Library staff.

For updates, check the website, www.bollingtonwalkingfestival.co.uk, before the Festival opens and join the mailing list. For more details, contact the hub of the whole operation, the Bridgend Centre, on 01625 576311, www.bridgendcentre.org.uk.

As ever, the Festival relies on the contributions of the volunteers who organise and lead the walks.

In addition to the organisations already mentioned, the team are grateful to the East Cheshire Ramblers, the Manchester and District Walking Group (MAD), the East Cheshire Outdoor Group (ECOG) and Footprints Walking Club. They would welcome your joining them before or after the festival for walks or other activities.

Finally, the contribution of the Bridgend Centre is vital to the success of the Festival, in planning, leading and hosting walks.

The Centre runs a regular walk every Wednesday at 10.15am of between 5 and 7 miles at a cost of £3 (no booking required) – or of course you are welcome to visit the Centre for any of the myriad of activities which take place there.

Thank you to the Bollington Walking Festival Team for nubbing this article to our site.

You too can submit articles to our website, by pressing the little black 'Nub it' button on our homepage.

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