Guided walks encouraging new skills during September’s Chilterns Walking Festival

From sketching to Nordic walking to becoming a landscape detective, September’s Chilterns Walking Festival has opportunities to enjoy a walk or a talk, and learn a new skill at the same time.

If you think you can’t draw, think again! – Wed 20 Sept; Sat 23 Sept
These sketching walks are led by wildlife artist and Countryside Officer Steve Halton. Learn simple techniques to observe and sketch the plants, trees and natural objects of the Chilterns countryside.

Beginners guide to Nordic walking – Tues 19, Tues 26, Thurs 28 Sept
Three linked sessions which focus on the technique of How to use the poles to propel you forward on the flat, help you uphill, & support you on the downhills.

Hidden Histories talk – Fri 29 Sept
Broadcaster and anthropologist Mary-Ann Ochota talks about landscape detective skills – including reading clues to puzzle out the origins of a village, the age of a hedgerow and the secrets hidden in the lumps and bumps of the landscape..

Chilterns Conservation Board’s People and Society Officer Annette Venters said “We know that walking is the most popular activity for 44% of leisure trips in the AONB. September’s Walking Festival programme introduces ways to combine walking with healthy outdoor activities, to open up the Chilterns 2,000 km of rights of way and 200 promoted routes for wider discovery.”

Details of all 60+ walks, events and activities are available on the website and must be pre-booked. Further details available at www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest