Alton walking festival 2022
With over 100 walks to choose from 2022 is Alton’s biggest Walking Festival to date.
Alton Walking Festival, which is now in its 10th year, is a truly friendly walking event, ideal for enthusiastic walkers, relaxed wanderers and curious explorers of all ages. The festival is the ideal opportunity for the local community and visitors from further afield to meet like-minded people, explore the Town and its surrounding villages and discover the superb Hampshire countryside with its abundance of wildlife and rich cultural heritage. Alton is a vibrant Walkers are Welcome Hampshire town which truly has community spirit at its heart. Situated at the source of the River Wey and enjoying a stunning rural backdrop at the gateway of the South Downs National Park, Alton is known by many as 'Jane Austen Country' with its close ties to its charming neighbouring parish of Chawton. There is plenty to see and do in and around Alton and the town serves as a convenient base to explore the local area. The town is easily accessible by public transport, has direct road links from Winchester, Basingstoke and Guildford and is located just off the A31 with ample parking throughout the town.
The Festival hosts a wide variety of walks led by knowledgeable volunteer walk leaders, offering an extensive programme of routes to suit all abilities. Whether you’re looking for a shorter stroll, a day long hike or themed walks including Foraging, Nordic Poles, Bat Walks, Walking Challenges and Town Walks, there is definitely a walk for you. Alton Town Council is extremely grateful to all the committed local volunteer groups and walking enthusiasts who have put together a programme to promote, share and develop walks around Alton.
Alton Town Council would also like to thank this year’s headline line sponsor McCarthy Stone, Walk Alton You Own Way 100-mile challenge sponsor Newbury Building Society and South Western Railway for their support. Verity McKay, Divisional Marketing Manager at McCarthy Stone Southern, which has a Retirement Living development in Alton, Queen Elizabeth Place, said: “At McCarthy Stone we aim to support initiatives in the towns and communities in which we build that will help to create a lasting, positive legacy, such as the Alton Walking Festival. It is our pleasure to support this brilliant work within the local community.”
Sammy Forrester, Branch Manager at Alton Newbury Building Society, said “I am so pleased that we are able to sponsor the Alton Walking Festival again this year as it’s a great way to get people more active and see the amazing sights around Alton. The 100 mile challenge we are sponsoring adds a bit of fun and motivation to walk and I cannot wait to see how many people achieve this!”
Leader of the Council, Councillor Graham Titterington said “Alton Walking Festival is now well established as a highlight in the South Downs area. Each year increasing numbers of people come to enjoy our delightful scenery and good company. We thank all the individuals and walking groups who work to facilitate the walks and bring the programme together.”
Town Mayor of Alton, Councillor Pam Jones said ‘Our annual Walking Festival goes from strength to strength and I am delighted that this year’s event is generating so much interest. All credit must go to our officers and walk organisers for their tireless efforts... here’s hoping the sun shines through out May...’
All walks need to be booked in advance. For further details on the walks available and to book please visit website www.alton.gov.uk or email community@alton.gov.uk. Alton Town Council have also produced a guide listing all of the walks, which will be available from various locations in Alton and surrounding areas.
