By Louise Stilwell-Stage

Mole Valley Ramblers have created the perfect recipe for this year’s 5-day Spring Walks Festival, which starts 24th April.

We will be combining our two favourite pastimes: walking and consuming victuals! This year’s theme will be woodland walks that incorporate pub or café stops either during or after the walks.
The Mole Valley is fortunate to be surrounded by the most wonderful variety of countryside, it is blessed with abundance of greenery and a plethora of stunning landscapes. In addition, there is a wealth of footpaths which makes exploring it relatively easy.

Research has shown that walking improves both physical and mental health and can be a factor in an improved quality of life and extended longevity. Walking with a group brings additional benefits including, making friends, a sense of belonging to a community, being absorbed in a physical activity, having contact with the natural world, and helping others. We are by nature, social creatures, these types of social interactions are vital in order to create a sense of being cared for, appreciated and supported.

The guided walks will be graded as leisurely, moderate or strenuous and will be between 3 and 15 miles in length. Don’t worry if you haven’t walked with Ramblers UK or our group previously as all the walks will be free to attend. If you enjoy yourself, you might consider becoming a member too!

There should be something to appeal to everyone from the most accomplished walker to the complete beginner. Our knowledgeable and experienced volunteer walk leaders will greet you, take your details then introduce you to the rest of the group.

There is no need to pre-book. Just check the spring walks festival programme on our MVR website, choose an appropriate walk, establish the correct starting time and location, and then turn up with about fifteen minutes to spare so you have time to get ready.

If you have any concerns at all, you can always contact the walk leader beforehand to get further information, they are all very approachable and helpful. Please visit the Mole Valley Ramblers website for more details – www.molevalleyramblers.org.uk/festival