By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:10, Monday, 07 May 2012

CELEBRATING his 80th birthday, walking enthusiast Brian Hart led a six-mile walk as the ever-popular Haltwhistle Walking Festival got off to a great start at the weekend.

Enthusuiast: Brian Hart, who led a six-mile hike at Haltwhistle Walking Festival on his 80th birthday.

The octogenarian took walkers to the highest points of Hadrian’s Wall in the walk from Steel Rigg, and there was a surprise party waiting for him at the Twice Brewed Inn.

The walk was just one of many which have proved popular with walkers, with 31 taking part in the 13-mile Crags and Loughs walk. Meanwhile, 21 went on the seven-mile Wonders south of Haltwhistle trek.

The Crags and Loughs walk enabled participants to take in views from the loughs at Crag, Broomlee, Halleypike and Greenlee, and it took six hours to complete despite the wet and windy conditions.

This year, there has been more bookings for the festival than ever before and it has even attracted American George Westlund, of Illinois, who has travelled especially for the festival.

The festival will continue in spectacular style though as a three-day Hexham to Haltwhistle walk will go ahead this weekend, in addition to many others planned.

The festival will then culminate in the fourth Haltwhistle Challenge – a 26-mile circular route from Haltwhistle town centre on Saturday, May 19.

For more information on all walks, visit www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk