The Herefordshire Trail, which starts and ends in Ledbury, is to be relaunched.
The 154-mile circular walking route has been given 2,000 new golden way markers, pathways have been cleared and a campaign by Visit Herefordshire is urging people to #FollowTheApple
A ‘Walk the trail in a day’ event takes place on Friday, June 17, with hundreds of walkers simultaneously taking on all 15 sections of the trail.
The following day marks the start of the Herefordshire Walking Festival (June 18-26).
READ MORE: Volunteers continue restoration of Town Trail
The relaunch is a joint effort by Herefordshire Council, Herefordshire Ramblers and Visit Herefordshire, who have been working to make sure all sections of the trail are in top condition.
First developed by the Herefordshire Ramblers in 2004 as a way of linking the county’s five market towns - Ledbury, Ross, Leominster, Bromyard and Kington, the full route starts and ends in Ledbury.
Section one is a 7.5-mile walk from Ledbury to Much Marcle and on June 17 environmentalist James Marsden will be your guide, alongside Marika Kovaks of Hereford Ramblers.
Volunteers clearing sections of Herefordshire Trail
Section 15 of the trail is a 9.25-mile walk from Fromes Hill to Ledbury. This walk will be guided by David Armitage from the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Chloe Garner, director of Ledbury Poetry Festival, on June 17.
Mike Goodwin, chairman of Herefordshire Ramblers, said: “Our trail volunteers are helping to replace all the way markers over the next few weeks as well as cutting back and clearing many overgrown sections to ensure we have the paths in the best possible condition for the launch event. Our team has also been busy erecting new stiles and kissing gates.
READ MORE: Spectacular drone images show new orchard rooms at Brockhampton
“It’s been a big project, but we are delighted to have a trail looking so good for the summer walking season ahead.”
The launch event walks are priced between £6 to £11 per person and places can be prebooked at www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/inspiration/herefordshire-trail-day
A new 48-page guide to the trail can also be downloaded from the Visit Herefordshire website.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here