THE ANNUAL Isle of Wight Walking Festival is celebrating 21 years in May.

Walkers of all ages and abilities are invited to set off across the Island on a wide choice of themed walks, including 40 new walks for 2019.

The 21st annual festival, run by Visit IW, will take full advantage of more than half the Island being a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and boasting 60 miles of heritage coastline and 500 miles of signposted footpaths.

Add to that a selection of carefully planned, themed walks, and it is easy to see why the festival remains one of the most popular events of its kind in the UK.

Set to run from May 4 to 19, the festival — sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels — gives walkers the chance to get up close and personal with the best of the Island's stunning scenery.

Most of the walks are free, although some walk leaders request a donation for their chosen charity. All the walk leaders are volunteers.

More than half of this year’s walks are new, with a series of Victorian-themed walks offered to coincide with this year being the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of the Island’s best-known summer residents, Queen Victoria.

Another interesting walk is Bob Dylan at Wootton on May 9, marking the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1969 IW Festival.

Another highlight will be Robby’s Ramble on May 16, led by DJ and festival promoter Rob da Bank, who will take walkers on his favourite family-friendly walk, from Shalfleet.

Rob said: "The IW Walking Festival is a brilliant opportunity to get the whole family out into the great outdoors, something I spend much of life attempting to do with my own family.

"We’re so lucky here on the Island to be surrounded by beautiful beaches, coastal paths, downs and woodlands and I love showing my kids that this can be their free playground.

"Screen-free time in the fresh air is what it’s all about."

For hardy walkers, the IW Challenge, which starts on Saturday, May 4, takes in 66 miles over three days.

For families, there are Seaside Story Walks on May 4, 5 and 8, Quick Stop in Quarr, which involves feeding the Abbey’s pigs on May 7, and the Flat Walk, an 8-mile walk from Sandown to Shide on May 12.

The Warrior Trail, a sponsored walk which takes place on May 12, will raise funds for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.

The trail follows a route used by General Seely to exercise his horse Warrior, the Island's real War Horse, which he rode in Flanders during the First World War.

The walk starts from the National Trust car park at Mottistone Gardens at 10.30am, with registration at 10am. A commemorative medal will be presented to all walkers who take part.

Springtime walks include an International Dawn Chorus Walk on May 5, starting at 5am, a Springtime Wildlife Walk on May 13, and Walking and Foraging for Wild Food on May 18.

The complete walks directory can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/2DRRFcM.

Further details can be found at isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

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