By DAVID COULTER

Last updated at 10:16, Monday, 30 April 2012

A TWO-DAY walk covering a combined distance of 26 miles will kick off this year’s Haltwhistle Spring Walking Festival.

Tomorrow, walkers will take in some of the most picturesque sections of Hadrian’s Wall in the 13-mile circular walk from Haltwhistle, before tackling the same distance the following day.

The “Loughs and Crags” event marks the start of the 10-day festival, which includes 30 routes of varying distance and difficulty.

Other highlights include a seven-mile walk to explore “The wonders south of Haltwhistle” and a six-mile ramble from Steel Rigg to Winshield Crags.

Surrounding towns and villages will also be visited during the festival with a Haydon Bridge circular of nine miles, on Monday and a three-day walk from Hexham to Haltwhistle.

This walk, starting on May 5, will take participants from Hexham to Blanchland on day one, Blanchland to Burn Tongues, near Allendale on day two, and from there back to Haltwhistle on day three.

The 26-mile Haltwhistle Challenge will also be held as an extension to the festival.

Now in its fourth year, the challenge, which is open to both walkers and runners, follows a route from Haltwhistle to Greenhead, Lambley and Kellah, before finishing back in Haltwhistle. It will be held on Saturday, May 19.

First published at 09:11, Monday, 30 April 2012
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk