15th January 2008

Walking for the Weekend

Enjoy walking? Want to do something different? Fancy exploring the area on the Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire borders? Then take out your walking boots and register to ‘Walk the Path’ on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May.

This weekend event, organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) will cover 23 miles over the two days and is the perfect way to discover the contrasting scenery of the Blackwater Valley and to witness the river as it journeys downstream.

This is the fourth year the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership have held the walk, which follows the River Blackwater from its source at Rowhill Nature Reserve in Aldershot right through to Swallowfield in Berkshire, where it joins the rivers Whitewater and Loddon before eventually reaching the River Thames near Reading.

“More and more people are walking for pleasure and this event will give them an opportunity to go on a walk with like-minded people,” explains Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer at the BVCP. “It’s also an excellent way of seeing more of this relatively undiscovered part of the country.”

Although the Blackwater Valley was once predominantly agricultural, urban encroachment and the extraction of sand and gravel have changed its character considerably over the past 60 years and now almost 200 lakes and ponds of varying size exist. Today the Blackwater Valley Path runs the length of the river and passes many of these lakes and ponds as well as through woodland, flower-rich meadows, parkland and much urban landscape.

“Most people tend to pass through the area in a car or on a train”, continued Christine, “but by walking the Blackwater Path they will get a totally different impression of the area and will see nature reserves, parks and open countryside.”

The overall pace of the walk will be easy rather than strenuous, starting from 10am on both days with the route divided into two sections, covering about 13 miles (21km) on day one and 10 miles (17km) on day two. The path is relatively flat and participants can go at their own pace, although there will be walk leaders as well as a back marker to ensure no one gets lost or left behind.  There will be check points along the route on both days and refreshments and toilets will be available. Walkers can be reassured in the knowledge that a minibus shuttle service will take them back to the day’s starting point.

Everyone who takes part must register beforehand, paying £6 per person for one day, £10 per person for two days. Full details about the walk can be obtained by writing to ‘Walk the Path 2008’ (PM), Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU112PS, by ringing 01252 331353, email blackwater.valley@hants.gov.uk or visit www.blackwater-valley.org.uk

If you are unable to join the walk but would like a full-colour guide giving details of the route complete with maps and information about points of interest, buy the Blackwater Valley Path guide for £3 including p+p from the above address.

END

For further information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.
Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS.