It is that time of year once again, as Bollington laces up their boots for the Bollington Walking Festival.

The Bollington Walking Festival team have put together a fantastic programme of walks for this year's Festival which takes place from the 7 - 15 September 2024.

The 2023 festival was a great success with a range of walks, some familiar and some new ones, and excellent feedback which we were able to take forwards in the creation of the 2024 festival. With a superb new schedule, the organisers are looking forward to welcoming everyone to explore the wonderful countryside of Bollington and more.

2024 will be the 14th festival and there will be around 30 walks planned. All the regular favourites are here including the children's Bear Hunt, for pre-school children led by the Bollington Library staff and the Mayor's Boundary Walk, as well as a variety of new excursions. Lengths range from half-a-mile to twenty three miles, so there's something to suit all abilities and interests.

A sign for the event in Bollington, just before the Viaduct. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Why not explore the history of the place where you live with the Bollington Civic Society, or visit local hostelries care of the Bollington Real Ale Ramblers? Maybe you want to get your walking confidence back or bag an Ethel peak?

You might have a hankering to develop your creative skills and participate in the photography competition or maybe simply have fun with your children or grandchildren. You'll be sure to find some appealing walks in the programme for the 14th Walking Festival.

Organiser Jo Maitland said: "We have included variations on walks from last year that were successful, including one organised by the young people's charity Just Drop in and the ever-popular Friday evening guided walk to a country pub with a torchlit walk home.

"The team have brought back some old favourites with the popular canal walk which includes either a return or outward trip on a barge and of course the cake walks with built in rewards! There is also the opportunity to try out Nordic Walking or even take some money and a tote bag and do a walk that takes in several local honesty boxes.

Along the Middlewood Way - one of the walks in the 2023 festival.

"Many of the walks are themed and include heritage walks looking at the history of Bollington but of course, what the festival is really all about is walking, so there are plenty of opportunities throughout the festival for those who just want to enjoy our beautiful local countryside with an experienced guide for confidence and the company of like-minded walkers."

If you want to walk at any pace in any direction for as short or long a distance as you like, the Bollington Walking Festival will have it covered. There's a variety of walks in the popular 5–7‐mile category, some of 7–18 miles, and a 20‐mile walk plus sensory walk organised by the East Cheshire Eye Society and short history themed routes too – there really is something for everyone.

For updates, check the website, before the festival opens. For more details, contact the hub of the whole operation, the Bridgend Centre, on 01625 576311.

As ever, the festival relies on the contributions of the volunteers who organise and lead the walks. In addition to the organisations already mentioned, we are grateful to the East Cheshire Ramblers, the East Cheshire Outdoor Group (ECOG), and the Cheshire East Rangers. They would welcome you joining them before or after the festival for walks or other activities. A full list of the organisations that help provide support and funding to allow the festival to go ahead can be found on the website.

Along the Middlewood Way - one of the walks in the 2023 festival

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

They run regular walks and of course you are welcome to visit the Centre for any of the myriad of activities which take place there. All info on their walks and activities can be found online.