Walking Festival

2012 Walking Festival. 28th to 30th September 2012
Click Here for walks on Friday Afternoon (3 walks)
Click Here for walks on Saturday (5 walks)
Click Here for walks on Sunday (5 walks)
Something to suit everyone!

Walks Key
	Pub Lunch	Bring A Picnic
	Not Suitable For Dogs	Catch the Bus

This walking festival is sponsored by:
The Wye Valley Brewery
Visit Herefordshire
PGL Travel Ltd
and the
Ross & District Hoteliers Association.

For a report on the 2011 Ross-on-Wye Walking Festival
CLICK HERE

Booking Conditions

Booking Fee for all walks is £3 except the foodie walk on Friday 28^th September.

Health & Safety.

It is the responsibility of all walkers to ensure that they are physically fit enough to take part in the walks that they have selected and that they have appropriate clothing and equipment.

- For most walks, walking boots/shoes are essential

- Carry sufficient water for the length of the walk

- Carry both sun protection and wet weather protection

- Take high energy snacks

The walk leaders will exercise their right to refuse to take ill-equipped walkers.

Age.

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

Timing.

Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the start of each walk. This is especially important for walks that include a bus or train journey. Walks will commence at the given time, whether all participants have arrived or not.

Please note the finishing times for all walks are approximate.

Weather.

The walk leader will be at the meeting place whatever the weather. However, in exceptional weather conditions, the walk may be re-routed or cancelled to ensure your safety.

Dogs.

Well behaved dogs are welcomed on some walks. Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times. Walks are not guaranteed to be dog friendly; you may need to help your dog over stiles.

Refunds.

The booking fee - £3.00 per adult per walk - is non-refundable. If the booking includes additional payment for transport or a meal, we will try to re-sell your tickets, provided you notify us of cancellation no later than 21 days in advance of the walk date. However, our own unsold tickets will take priority. A £1.00 administration fee will be charged per ticket resold. Any cancellations within 21 days of the walk will not be refunded. Please inform us of any cancellation as soon as possible, since many of the walks have a waiting list.

Alterations.

Ross-on-Wye Walkers are Welcome Steering Group reserves the right to alter this festival programme without prior notice. The details in this programme are believed to be correct at the time of going to press.

Liability.

Ross-on-Wye Walkers are Welcome Steering Group has endeavoured to ensure the safety of all festival participants. It cannot, however, be held liable for any injury or loss of, or damage to, personal property, however caused, except to the extent to which it is unlawful to exclude such liability under the applicable law. You are advised to take out insurance against accident and personal injury.

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Booking Arrangements

Please read the booking conditions - CLICK HERE to view them.
Either
Pop-in the Market House Visitor Centre, Ross-on-Wye
Or
Email your name and address saying you would like information on the Ross-on-Wye Walking Festival to
visitorcentreross@herefordshire.gov.uk
Or
Telephone 01989 562768
And
If 'phoning, please remember to have a debit/credit card to hand to pay for your ticket.

If you require any further information, please email your query to:
rosswalkersarewelcome@talktalk.net

Visitor Centre Opening hours
October – March:
Sunday 10.30 – 4.00pm
Monday - Saturday 10.30 – 4.30pm
Closed Tuesday

April – September
Monday - Sunday 10.30 – 4.30pm
Closed Tuesday

Come and visit The Market House Visitor Centre for local heritage and visitor information, National Express coach tickets, events Box Office, walking books, itinerary planning, exhibitions and much, much more….

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Walks on Friday 28th September
For legend see top of page.

Walk 1. Hartleton Lake Walk.

We catch the number 32 bus from Ross and alight at Hill Top, Upton Bishop. Bus fare payable on the day, English bus passes accepted. A moderate walk around Hartleton Lakes and along the Rudhall Brook takes us back to Ross in time for afternoon tea.

Distance: 5 miles, Moderate
Time: 1.45pm returning about 4.30pm
Leader: David Collin, Ross-on-Wye Group Ramblers.

Walk 2. Through the Hole in the Wall.

This is a moderate, circular walk near Ross. It follows a section of the Wye Valley Walk alongside the river Wye through the quaintly named “Hole in the Wall”. The return route offers lovely views across the Wye Valley towards the Black Mountains.

Distance: 7½ miles, Moderate
Time: 1.00pm returning about 4.30pm.
Leader: Elinor Kelly, Ross-on-Wye Group, Ramblers

Walk 3. Mary’s Foodie Walk

Wander around the local food providers in Ross town centre. Taste specialities unique to Ross and the surrounding area. Your guide will also be able to fill you in on some of the vast history of Ross between tastings.

Distance: Less than a mile, easy walking
Time: 2.30pm returning about 4.30pm
Guide: Mary Sinclair-Powell
Cost: £4 pre booked, £5 on the day.

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Walks on Saturday 29th September
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Walk 1. Three Castles Stage 1

The Three Castles walk is a circular walk of about 19 miles, set on the borderland of England and Wales. The three castles of Skenfrith, White Castle and Grosmont were built by the Normans to defend the Monnow Valley against the marauding Welsh. The 19 miles of the walk will be undertaken in 2 stages.
Stage 1 starts at Skenfrith Castle alongside the river Monnow. Skenfrith, peaceful now, has a 13th Century church that contains a 15th Century Cope and has a wooden belfry. Today’s terrain, on the way to White Castle (entry fee charged), is mainly meadows and valleys (many stiles). The route has many good views and uses part of an old stagecoach route. The first day ends just short of Graig Hill with 11 miles covered. Transport will be provided back to Skenfrith.

Distance: 11 miles, Energetic
Time: 9.30am returning about 4.30pm
Leader: Neville Littleford, Ross-on-Wye Group, Ramblers

Walk 2. William & Kate’s Future Home?

An easy walk across farmland to Hoarwithy’s famous Italianate church then back through Harewood Park (Duchy land) viewing possible site for a rebuilt Harewood House for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Distance: 4½ miles, Easy
Time: 10.00am returning about 1.00pm
Leader: Harry Britten-Austin, Ross-on-Wye Walking Group

Walk 3. Dark Hill Furnace

An opportunity to see some of the extraordinary industrial heritage of the Forest of Dean. See Roman, or even pre-Roman iron workings that may have inspired the Lord of the Rings stories. Visit the partially restored iron works that produced some of the rails for our early railways. Find out how to become a Free Miner and pass long abandoned coal tips. All this, as you pass through some of the loveliest forest landscape.

Distance: 9 miles, Moderate
Time: 10.00am returning about 3.00pm
Leader: Sam Phillips, Ross-on-Wye Group, Ramblers

Walk 4. Hoarwithy Circular Walk

A route along country lanes, the bank of the River Wye and fields. Some relatively moderate climbs along two stretches. There will be an opportunity to visit the "Italianate" style church of St. Catherine's in Hoarwithy and the historical churches in Kings Caple and Sellack. Finish at the New Harp Inn where refreshments and/or lunch can be taken after the walk.

Distance: 4½ miles, Easy to Moderate

Time: 10.00am returning about 12.30pm

Leader: Malcolm Hill, Ross-on-Wye Group Ramblers

Walk 5. Skenfrith and its Castle to the top of the world

Starting at Skenfrith Castle there is a long, steady ascent alongside the river Monnow to White Rocks, then a steeper ascent to the summit of Garway Hill. Here are fine all round views - look for the Black Mountains, the Malverns and May Hill. The return is via Garway Church (with its amazing Norman Arch and connections with the Knights Templar) and dovecote.

Distance: 9.5 miles, Energetic

Time: 10.00am, returning about 4.00pm

Leader: Martin Shenley, Ross-on-Wye Group, Ramblers

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Walks on Sunday 30th September
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Walk 1. Three Castles Stage 2

Today’s walk is a little stiffer with two good climbs. The first climb ascends Graig Hill for great panoramic views from the top. The path then traverses woodland and farm tracks to the beautiful, sleepy village of Grosmont. Its castle sits on a commanding mound overlooking the Monnow. After leaving Grosmont the route climbs through fine deciduous woodland before the steep descent back to Skenfrith.

Distance: 8 miles, Energetic

Time: 9.30am returning about 3.30pm

Leader: Neville Littleford, Ross-on-Wye Group, Ramblers

Walk 2. The Roman Side of Ross

Route starts from Bromsash on The Ross Round (fine views over Ross and Welsh Mountains beyond), past Bolitree Castle (Richard Hammond's House) to Weston-under-Penyard, past a Norman church, skirting Penyard woods, onto Dancing Green and Pontshill passing Handley (birthplace of Ann Greening - mother of Elgar), along the remains of the Roman Road from Ariconium (Weston-under-Penyard) to Blestium (Monmouth) where part of the cobbled surface and bridge over the stream can be seen. Through Weston and return via site of Ariconium settlement back to Bromsash. Optional tea and cake at Eastview, Bromsash at end if you wish.

Distance: 6½ miles, Moderate.

Time: 11.00am returning about 3.00pm

Leader: Sue Powell, Ross-on-Wye Walking Group

Walk 3. On the Beautiful Doorstep of Ross

A satisfying journey around the local hills, woods and valleys. Includes a pause halfway at a church and a pub for those whose senses thirst!

Distance: 6½ miles, Moderate

Time: 10.00am returning about 3.00pm

Leader: Judith Stares, Ross-on-Wye Walking Group

Walk 4. Woodlands, Roman Roads & Iron Ore

A woodland walk, in the depths of the Forest of Dean, starting from New Fancy car park and going via Parkend, Moseley Green and Blackpool Bridge, with its Roman road, and the Drummer Boy stone.

Distance: 7 miles, Moderate

Time: 10.00am returning about 2.30pm

Leader: Alan Gillespie, Forest of Dean Group, Ramblers

Walk 5. The Last Cream Tea of Summer.

Walk along field paths and lanes to the cider orchards at Broome Farm. Enjoy a superb Cream Tea (£5 per person, payable on the day) before returning to Ross.

    Distance: 5 miles, Moderate
    Time: 1.30pm returning about 4.00pm.
    Leader: David Collin, Ross-on-Wye Group, Ramblers

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