The UK's best walking festivals

Walking festivals offer wonderful, sociable ways to discover far-flung locations and those closer to your doorstep. They'll motivate you to get out and walk, whether it's for a stroll through a vineyard or longer hikes over hilly terrain

- By James Witts

1 CRICKHOWELL WALKING FESTIVAL

The picturesque town of Crickhowell, nestled in the beautiful Usk Valley, Wales, plays host to one of the year's earliest walking festivals, from 7–15 March 2026. Enjoy over 80 walks of various distances. For the competitive amongst you, there's the Table Mountain Challenge, where you walk or run up and down the 380m-high Table Mountain as many times as you can. There are prizes for the female and male winners. Just remember to pack a waterproof – this is Bannau Brycheiniog in springtime, after all.

crickhowellfestival.com

2 RIDE2STRIDE WALKING AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, NORTH YORKSHIRE

This week-long bonanza runs from Tuesday 28 April to Monday 4 May 2026 and takes in the delights of the western Dales and Eden Valley. To add a thematic edge, the varied walks take place along the spectacular Settle–Carlisle railway line; this year marks the 150th anniversary of the first passenger train on the line. Many pubs along the routes will play live music, plus talks take place in Settle's Friends Meeting House. Walks range in distance from four to 15 miles.