THURSDAYKINGT 18ONW SEPTEMBERALKS.ORG 2015 T 07585 055 984 KINGTON WALKING FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 15TH -18TH 2016 1 WELCOME K apples, beef and cider and the wild uplands of It is perfect walking country for the tough and the lazy alike. This year our programme comprises over 40 guided walks plus led challenge for walkers and runners alike. Whether you fancy an amble through the secret gardens of a pub or two), or a hike to the heart of an Volcano there will be something for you. Then to use up your unspent energy you can join John Jones and evening of lively music and dancing, perhaps having joined John’s final walk to complete the Hereford One Hundred in aid of WELCOME TO KINGTON WALKS 2016 KINGTONWALKS.ORG ington sits on the frontier between the green and Kasymmetrical hills of Herefordshire, famous for apples, beef and cider and the wild uplands of Wales. It is perfect walking country for the tough and the lazy alike. This year our programme comprises over 40 guided walks plus The Eight Peaks Challenge, a popular self- led challenge for walkers and runners alike. Whether you fancy an amble through the secret gardens of Kington, a walk along Glyndwr’s Way (with a pub or two), or a hike to the heart of an Ancient Volcano there will be something for you. Then to use up your unspent energy you can join John Jones and The Reluctant Ramblers’ gig for an evening of lively music and dancing, perhaps having joined John’s final walk to complete the Hereford One Hundred in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. 3 TOURHURSDAY FIFTH WALKING 17 SEPTEMBER FESTIV 2015AL KINGTONWALKS.ORG Programme guide Clothing Walks will commence at the given time, whether all Th1 You will be expected to ensure that you are properly participants have arrived or not. Please note that All walks are graded according to their difficulty and Sponsored by Offa’s Dyke National Trail equipped for the grade and length of walk. For walks durations given for walks are approximate. length as follows: Start graded 2, 3 and 4, walking boots, a waterproof jacket Age Key to symbols and trousers, warm clothes, gloves, plus hat and Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. a rucksack are essential (it may be cold on the tops Duration Easy No steep gradients and in late September). For walks graded above level one Booking Distance minimal rough terrain. These walks we would strongly advise against walkers wearing Most walks are priced at £5 for a half day and £7 for Leader are suitable for most, including those jeans on any of our walks, as these are not sufficiently a longer walk. Some walks involve an additional cost Max No with limited walking ability and weather proof. Walk leaders may refuse to take people to cover transport, food or admission charges. who are not properly equipped or prepared. Price families with children. NB: Walks using public bus services Food and drink All information is correct at time of going to press; Bring packed lunch. Moderate There may be some the fragmentary remains of the Dyke itself are well to the Ensure that you have an adequate supply of water however, both Herefordshire & Powys County Councils short sections of steep gradients and east, though coming closer to you all the time! The path (and a hot drink if you wish) and sufficient food for are reviewing public transport provision. Should a rises from the Wye Valley on to the hills of Radnorshire, some rough terrain but any climb will the length of walk – there are no cafés on the hills! particular service be axed, we will make alternative and having traversed the moorland ridges of Disgwylfa and be taken at a relaxed pace. These A packed lunch for an all day walk is strongly advised. arrangements. walkers should be aware that this may Hergest, descends into Herefordshire at Kington. The walk walks are suitable for most people of Where refreshments are included on a walk, this entail a small extra charge for the walk. includes several steepish climbs. A minibus will take you to is clearly stated. To avoid disappointment please book your place[s] average fitness. the start of the walk. in advance. We anticipate that many of the walks will Safety Energetic May include rough terrain, be fully booked prior to the event. Priority is given to Your leaders’ duty is to the group and they may refuse online bookings; however, should you wish to book by Th2 with steep climbs and descents. to accept a walker whose clothing or equipment post please complete the booking form on page 21 Sponsored by The Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) Requires a good level of fitness. is unsuitable. If you choose to leave the group and send it, together with a stamped, self-addressed Start at any time, your leader is no longer responsible for envelope and your cheque (made payable to Kington Strenuous Walks require fitness you. Please have consideration for other people and Walks) to Tourist Information Centre, 5 Church Street, and stamina to cope with several keep mobile phone use to a minimum. We also ask Kington, HR5 3AZ. You can also book in person at the Duration steep climbs and to cover a good all walkers not to smoke while on guided walks, out Tourist Information Centre. Distance distance at a steady pace. of consideration for others and to avoid undue risk of fire or littering the countryside. No liability will Any unsold places will be available on the day from the Leader Historical or scientific interest be accepted for loss or injury that occurs as a result Festival HQ at The Burton Hotel, Mill St, Kington. Max No of taking part in any Walk or Event. Bookings are non-refundable except in the unlikely Price Spectacular views and / or photo- event that a walk is cancelled. Bring packed lunch. graphic opportunities Timing Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes Dogs Herefordshire living landscape starting at Birches Farm, Pub walk before the start of each walk. This is especially We regret that dogs are not allowed on any of the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s recently purchased reserve important for walks that include a bus journey. guided walks. and not yet open to the public, untouched by the plough or 4 RG THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2016 Walks will commence at the given time, whether all Th1 Hay to Kington on Offa fertilisers for centuries and one of the UK’s newest Sites of Special Scientific Interest. We will then do a large circular Sponsored by Offa’s Dyke National Trail loop via 2 other of the HWT’s reserves and other sites of Start 9:15am Mill St car park, Kington interest. The walk will be led by the HWT local reserves (SO 295 565) manager who will talk about the flora and fauna we will Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Duration 8 hrs see, the biodiversity of the area and the work of the Trust. Distance 15 miles The walk will pass through Eardisley where refreshments can be purchased if required and ends back at Birches Most walks are priced at £5 for a half day and £7 for Leader Rob Dingle Farm. The Birches Farm is situated 2 miles south of a longer walk. Some walks involve an additional cost Max No 14 people Kington, on the A4111. Price £10 (inc. transport) Bring packed lunch. On this section of Offa’s Dyke Path Th3 Circling the Arrow Powys County Councils the fragmentary remains of the Dyke itself are well to the (Huntington, Newchurch and east, though coming closer to you all the time! The path Michaelchurch on Arrow.) rises from the Wye Valley on to the hills of Radnorshire, Start 9:30am Place de Marines, Kington arrangements. walkers should be aware that this may and having traversed the moorland ridges of Disgwylfa and Hergest, descends into Herefordshire at Kington. The walk (SO 295 566) includes several steepish climbs. A minibus will take you to Duration 6 hrs the start of the walk. in advance. We anticipate that many of the walks will Distance 8 miles be fully booked prior to the event. Priority is given to Leader Malcolm Mason Th2 Living Landscapes online bookings; however, should you wish to book by Max No 14 people post please complete the booking form on page 21 Sponsored by The Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) Price £10.00 (inc. transport) and send it, together with a stamped, self-addressed Start 9:30am Birches Farm near Kington. Parking envelope and your cheque (made payable to Kington is available. (SO 296 538) Bring packed lunch. This circular walk uses public Walks) to Tourist Information Centre, 5 Church Street, footpaths to explore the beautiful landscape where Kington, HR5 3AZ. You can also book in person at the Duration 7 hrs England and Wales meet around the valley of the river Distance 11 miles Arrow. Linking the hamlets of Huntington, Newchurch Any unsold places will be available on the day from the Leader Jim Light, HWT Reserve Officer and Michaelchurch on Arrow, this is an opportunity to explore this historic border landscape alive with reminders Max No 20 people of the past. The route includes a number of stiles and Price £7.00 some steepish ascents and descents - but this is a walk Bring packed lunch. This walk explores the to savour, and it can be completed at a pace to suit the Herefordshire living landscape starting at Birches Farm, group.