Walk and Ride Festival makes triumphant return after four-year hiatus

The South Pennines Park Walk and Ride Festival is back - and they’re looking for more events to add to their itinerary.

After a four-year hiatus the event, hosted by the South Pennines Park, will make a highly anticipated return - with the aim of encouraging people to explore the beauty of the park area.

Taking place in the scenic South Pennines region - which spans from Blackburn to Huddersfield, and Oldham to Ilkley - the festival promises an exhilarating celebration of outdoor activities, inclusive routes, and immersive experiences for all.

Scheduled to run from throughout September 2023, the South Pennines Park Walk and Ride Festival is set to captivate adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. 

And now, organisers are looking for people to add their events to the action-packed itinerary for people to enjoy as part of the collaborative festival.

This year's edition will showcase an array of activities, including walking, biking, and horse riding, inviting participants to explore the breath-taking beauty of the region's landscapes - and organisers want to include and promote more events that people can choose from.

One of the festival's key highlights is its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

Recognising the importance of providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the great outdoors, the South Pennines Park Walk and Ride Festival will offer an inclusive and accessible route specifically designed for those with physical limitations.

This ensures that individuals of all abilities can participate and experience the joy of outdoor exploration.

Moreover, the festival will introduce e-routes tailored for the housebound community, allowing individuals to virtually embark on immersive journeys through the South Pennines from the comfort of their own homes. 

This innovative addition demonstrates the festival's dedication to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can partake in the festivities and appreciate the natural wonders of the region.

Rebecca Royce, from South Pennines Park, said: “We want to continue the success of the Walk and Ride festival by providing a month-long event to encourage and support people to get outdoors.

“We want all our walks to be accessible to everyone, especially those with disabilities or who are from least economically advantaged groups, or culturally diverse communities.

"But to do that we need organisations, charities, and community groups to help us to deliver these fun and exciting events. 

“We have found that working with others to deliver the Walk and Ride Festival allows us to have a bigger impact on communities lading to greater numbers of people accessing nature more consistently into the future.”

The types of events organisers are looking for: 

Events aimed at beginners, intermediates, or experts. 

Events aimed at children, families, adults, elderly or are accessible. 

Events that have a theme like getting into nature, discovering heritage, how to navigate, cycling adventures, exploring bridleways, etc. 

Workshops that could help people learn more about activities like cycling, navigating or horse trekking. 

If you can co-create and help deliver events for the Walk and Ride Festival, your events will be promoted through the South Pennines Park channels and some funding may be available to support the delivery of the event.

To register as part of the festival, please contact: rebecca.royce@southpenninespark.org before this Sunday (July 17).

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