It’s too hot to go for a walk!
I agree, it is at the moment. Unless you fancy a woodland stroll at 04:00 or waist-deep wander along the beach.
But autumn is coming.
At least I hope it is. Much as I love the sunshine and long days, my garden and I are really looking forward to a bit of rain. We’ve had our puppy six weeks now, and the only time he’s seen the garden wet is when I’ve been wandering around with the watering can.
Which appears to be all of the time.
Anyway, looking forward to autumn. These are exciting times because between September 4th and October 20th the YHA, our favourite hostel organisation, are hosting their very first YHA Festival of Walking.
Six things you didn’t know about the YHA
The YHA Festival of Walking
Perfect for ‘tentative trekkers’ and ‘hardened walkers’.
Whether you see yourself as a complete walking novice or an experienced expeditioner, the YHA want to encourage as many of you as possible to pull on a pair of trainers or boots, and experience our wonderful countryside on foot.
Nothing scary or too challenging. Just a lot of fun and even more fantastic scenery.
Walking is for everybody
I’m pretty sure, with all their years of experience, the YHA have the means to write the definitive manual on encouraging people to get out walking. Looking at their special offers for their Festival of Walking, they seem to have got it sorted.
With 25% off stays at some hostels, and for walking groups, free maps and route guides, guided social walks (including a Dartmoor one) and even a free cuppa at the end of your walk, I can’t think of a reason not to join in.
You could even get to your YHA Festival of Walking hostel (or camping pod) by train!
You’ll find a list of hostels participating in the YHA Festival of Walking here. They’ve been chosen for the access they give to spectacular scenery, in some rather surprising locations.
If you don’t have a car, or are being careful about your impact on the planet, you’ll be pleased to find out that some of the hostels participating in the YHA Festival of Walking are accessible by train.
What could be better? View the scenery as you travel, then view some more as you walk. You’ll find the complete list of hostels participating in the Festival of Walking here but we’ve done a bit of research for you and chosen our top four to visit by train.
Who knows? This could be the start of a fantastic series of YHA adventures by train.
Enjoy river rambling from YHA Cambridge
YHA Cambridge – just a five-minute walk from the station. Enjoy a stroll along the river to Grantchester or enjoy a ten-mile social walk with experienced guides on Sunday 16th October.
Maps and route guides plus a free post-walk cuppa available during the YHA Festival of Walking.
Visit the top of Devon from YHA Okehampton
Opening up Dartmoor’s North Moor to train travellers, YHA Okehampton is a four-minute stroll from the very pretty Okehampton Station. Discover the baby River Taw above Belstone Village or climb High Willhays, the very top of Devon on an 8.5-mile guided social walk on Saturday 10th September.
Maps and route guides plus a free post-walk cuppa available during the YHA Festival of Walking.
Discover Northumberland from YHA Berwick
Discover Northumberland by train from beautiful Berwick-upon-Tweed. YHA Berwick is a short 11-minute walk from the train station. Walk the Northumberland Coast Path or explore this fascinating town on foot.
Maps and route guides plus a free post-walk cuppa available during the YHA Festival of Walking.
Admire chalk cliffs from YHA South Downs
This has to be a record. Just 200m from Southease Station, you’ll find picture postcard YHA South Downs. Discover the white cliffs and castle at Lewes or supplement a night walk with a bit of stargazing.
Maps and route guides plus a free post-walk cuppa available during the YHA Festival of Walking.
Time to start booking!
So there we have it. We hope you find time to join in with this very special UK walking festival. It’s so good we predict it’s going to be popular.
Best start booking those bunks and trains!!
Adventures by train – walking the Worcester and Birmingham Canal