The most popular part of the Bedfordshire Walking Festival has just been announced - the RU4 The Challenge Walk which covers just over 40 miles in two days.
The walk follows the ridge of greensand rising from the shallow river valleys and stretches 40 miles from Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire to Gamlingay in Cambridgeshire.
Gentle slopes and improvements such as the replacement of stiles with wasy-access 'kissing' gates, upgraded bridges, and new signposts, waymarkers and interpretation boards, make the route suitable for all ages.
The route goes through land once reputedly part of Henry VIII’s hunting grounds and provides an ideal introduction to the history, landscape and wildlife of the county. A number of points of interest along its route include major landmarks, such as Woburn Abbey and the church tower and Mausoleum at Maulden. It links many local circular walks and nature trails.
The event, which attracts walkers from all over the country, covers the Greensand Ridge Path which runs throughout Bedfordshire and covers approximately 18 miles on the Saturday and 22 miles on the Sunday.
On Saturday, September 15, walkers taking part in the challenge will be asked to gather at 8.45am at the Ampthill Park Car Park for part one. This will go from Leighton Buzzard to Ampthill. Transport will be provided to Leighton Buzzard for the walkers to then return to their cars parked in Ampthill.
On Sunday, September 16, walkers will again meet at the Ampthill Park Car park at 8.45am for part two of the challenge which will go from Gamlingay back to Ampthill. Again transport will be provided to Gamlingay.
Please note this is not a race. Walkers will need to be of moderate fitness to complete this challenge, but there is the option to complete just one day or two as desired. Suitable clothing as well as refreshments will need to be brought by those taking part.
Everyone taking part in the challenge will be asked to pay £10 - this covers the cost of the community transport which is provided to get walkers to the start of the challenge on both Saturday and Sunday. The £10 will be payable if you decide to do just one day or two.
Please note that this is a registration service for the challenge. There are 100 places which are available for the two days. Walkers will be expected to print out their registration confirmation and bring this with them on the day of the walk so that attendees can be assured of a space on the transport. The fee for taking part will be collected before the walker will be allowed to board the transport.
If you have not registered in advance, you will not be allowed to participate.
If you prefer to pay by cheque in advance these need to be made payable to RA Bedfordshire Area and sent to: The Organiser, Bedfordshire Walking Festival, 67 Avon Drive, Bedford, MK41 7UR. Please supply an e mail address with your correspondence and confirmation of receipt will be sent.
No comments:
Post a Comment