2 Mar 2012
Walk the Wight
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival has been held on the Island every May since 1999 and is the largest walking festival in the UK.
Walking the West Wight
It’s a popular event that attracts visitors from all over the world, some to do the famous walk across the Island from Bembridge to The Needles and Alum Bay, while others get involved in the numerous guided walks. These cater for all ages, abilities, distances and interests. One year they ran a ‘Date Walking’ walk, which I thought was agreat idea as conversation always seem to flow better when you’re walking.
But the the festival flagship is the “Walk the Wight”, an east to west long distance sponsored walk , with proceeds going to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. You don’t have to commit to the entire walk, as there are a number of joining points along the way, but my favourite is to join at Newport and walk to the Needles which takes you across some of the best scenery on the Island. You don’t even need to be sponsored – but you do have to pay an entry fee.
It’s a great atmosphere and I’d recommend it. One tip, don’t wear your brand new pair of walking shoes, wear the old, battered and worn in ones!
ISLE OF WIGHT WALKING FESTIVAL 5 – 20 MAY 2012
Full details of all walks can be found at www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk