The third Ayrshire Walking Festival, including wheeling friendly options (buggy, wheelchair etc), takes place this month with a series of excursions lined up across the region to showcase the variety of walks across Ayrshire.
Taking place from Friday, 20 September until Sunday, 29 September 2024, this year’s event has been organised by North Ayrshire Council’s Trinity Active Travel Hub, with support from KA Leisure, South Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council and various local partners.
Community groups and other organisations will be leading many of the festival walks with the aim to promote walking for health and for a greener way to travel for short journeys.
Something for everyone…
There are a huge variety of walks available from short health walks to strenuous full day walks…
Some walks are suitable for children and families, some will suit all ages and abilities including those wheeling, whilst others will be more suitable for people who are fitter.
There are nature walks, bat walks, Nordic walks, health walks and walks suitable for furry friends and more.
Funding has been provided by North Ayrshire Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Ayrshire Roads Alliance, North Ayrshire Green Health Partnership, South Ayrshire Health Walks / Thriving Communities and The Outdoor Partnership.
Louise Kirk, Head of Service (Economic Development, Growth & Regeneration) at North Ayrshire Council said:
“Now in its third year, this promises to be another great event with a collection of walks that includes something for everyone.
“The festival provides an opportunity to check out some of our most stunning scenery with like-minded people. Walking is so important for our wellbeing and also helps promote a more sustainable way of living.
“A huge thanks to all the volunteers and community groups who will be taking part to make the whole thing possible.
Programmes will be available from North Ayrshire libraries, KA Leisure venues, Eglinton Country Park and the Trinity Active Travel Hub.
Please visit https://thetrinity.org.uk/ayrshire-walking-and-wheeling-festival-2024/ for more information on the festival.
Please note that bookings are required for some of the walks, these are detailed in the programme.
“Now in its third year, this promises to be another great event with a collection of walks that includes something for everyone. The festival provides an opportunity to check out some of our most stunning scenery with like-minded people. Walking is so important for our wellbeing and also helps promote a more sustainable way of living. A huge thanks to all the volunteers and community groups who will be taking part to make the whole thing possible.”Louise Kirk, Head of Service for Economic Development, Growth and Regeneration
More about the Trinity Active Travel Hub…
The Travel Smart programme for North Ayrshire, centred around our Active Travel Hub in Irvine, is a brilliant example of a local service that strenthgsn learning outdoors, helping residents and visitors (of all ages and abilities) to improve their health and wellbeing.
With activities all year round, the team have lots on offer…
Through guided walks (in partnership with the Scottish Health Walk Network), cycling and bike maintenance events and awareness-raining of alternative modes of transport and routes, our Active Travel team work hard to encourage and support people to make the change to travel short journeys by foot or by bicycle.
To keep up-to-date with the amazing work that they do, follow the team on Facebook @TrinityActiveTravelHub
If you prefer cycling to walking and wheeling, September is also national Cycling Month too.
So, if you want to hop on your bike and be in with the chance to win a host of prizes, check out the Latest News article for more on hoe to get involved with social cycle rides and longer distance journeys too…
Ayrshire Walking Festival Events overview
Friday 20th September
Nordic Walking Taster Session (Dean Castle Country Park)
Culzean Estate Adventure Walk
Geocaching (Memorial Park Dailly Primary School)
Dalquharran Estate Nature Walk
SeaSalt Streets Nature Walk (Saltcoats)
Eglinton Bat Walk
Saturday 21st September
Blaeloch Hill
Castle to Castle (Dean Castle to Craufurdland Castle)
Start at ART Alloway Tunnel
Among the Rolling Hills of Ayrshire (Girvan and Barr)
A Wee Wild Walk – family nature walk (Balbeg Estate)
The Big Foodie Foray (Ayr)
Hummocky Hill Walk – family guided walk
Sunday 22nd September
Nordic walking – Ayr Beach
Coastal path – Turnberry
Monday 23rd September
Lang Scots Mile Health Walk
Seamill Stroll
Dementia Friendly Health Walk – Prestwick
Inspire Walking group (all ages – River Ayr)
Nature walk with Eco Savvy
Nordic walking at Auchenharvie
Tuesday 24th September
Burns – Greenan Castle Walk
Dumfries House Health Walk
Glen Rosa – a walk on the wild side
Ayr Strollers – Local Football History Walk
Stroll in Glencloy – Arran
Nordic Walking in Glencloy – Arran
Stroll With It in Kilwinning
Walk and Talk in the Three Towns
The History of Irvine Harbour
Wednesday 25th September
Cani-Hike Dundonald (Smugglers Trail)
We Are Nature Toddlers Eglinton Park AM
Stroll at Lanfine, Newmilns
Dragons at Irvine Beach Park
We are Nature Toddlers Too! Eglinton Country Park PM
Walk and Talk at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
A Turn around the Circuit
Thursday 26th September
Troon Walking Group Coastal Walk
Introduction to Digital Navigation outdoor learning course (Eglinton Park)
SAC Ayr North Time Team Historical Stomp
Active Schools and Inspire ASN School Walk (Maidens Shore)
Nordic Walking Taster (Trinity Active Travel Hub, Irvine)
Dean Castle Country Park Health Walk
KA Getting healthy in Bourtreehill
Saunter at Eglinton
Nordic Walking (Lochshore Park) – turn your walk into a workout!
Friday 27th September
Nordic walking taster session (Dean Castle)
Cornish Hill, Carrick Galloway Hills
Girvan Shorefront Walk
Exploration at Dumfries House
Dog friendly walk at Eggy
Going Bats Fullarton Woods
Saturday 28th September
Hidden History Garnock Valley
Youth Walk Maidens to Dunure
Nordic Walking (Eglinton Country Park) – turn your walk into a workout!
Sunday 29th September
Stevenston North Hill
Eglinton Country Park Nature Walk
Auchincruive Nature Skills Walk
A Circular Tour of Stewarton
Galston History Walk
Book now via the Trinity Active Travel Hub website.