FANCY a three day walk around the Isle of Wight coast?

Or the chance to explore the Afton site of the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival? These are just two of the 50 walks announced for the Isle of Wight Spring Walking Festival 2022 in May.

The first of two Isle of Wight Walking Festivals will run from May 7 to 15, with the other in the autumn.

Take part with family, enjoy a stroll with friends, connect with new people in the great outdoors, while taking in numerous opportunities to learn something new about the Island’s history, reconnect with nature or discover that perfect photo around every bend.

Working closely with the Isle of Wight Ramblers Association, the National Trust and a number of volunteer walk leaders, the walks are graded by pace — from gentle, to moderate, to strenuous walks for the more experienced hiker.

With many walks free, booking is essential and many are limited on numbers.

Isle of Wight Walking Festival highlights

Participants can enjoy a Nature’s Table walk at a local reserve, exploring habitats and food sources for wildlife, or take on the three day walk around the Island — popping home each evening for food and some sleep.

Rescheduled from the 2020 Walking Festival, a 50th Anniversary anecdotal walk celebrates the iconic 1970 Isle of Wight Festival where up to 600 000 people were estimated to attend.

The circular route will visit the original Afton site, returning to view the permanent Isle of Wight Festival exhibition at the Dimbola Museum, where a life-size bronze statue of Jimi Hendrix can be found along with images from the 1970 event.

Mountbatten Walk the Wight 2022

This year will see the return of the Mountbatten Walk The Wight to its traditional place in the calendar. A popular and vital fundraising event for the hospice, walkers can traverse the 26.5 mile course from Bembridge to Alum Bay, or choose a half option or eight-mile flat walk.

Walking groups are restricted in numbers and all walks must be booked in advance.

Further walks are to be added to the programme in the coming weeks.

Book at isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk