ATHLETE Hannah Shields, the first Northern Irish woman to scale Everest, thinks that the Castlerock Community Association might just have found the perfect spot for their annual Walk Fest!
On Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18 CCA will be hosting their second walking festival which will allow walkers the chance to go on a series of guided walks through Binevenagh’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as the National Trust’s Downhill Demense.
Hannah (riight) said: “The beautiful Binevenagh landscape, a favourite training ground of mine, is an ideal location for the Castlerock Walk Fest. I am sure the walkers will enjoy it as much as I do”.
With routes taking you through some of the North Coast’s most magnificent scenery, it won’t just be the walking that takes your breath away.
There will be walks each day catering for different abilities as well as a short walk on the Sunday which is especially for families. The walks which take place on Saturday and Sunday are moderate walks around Binevenagh and the Altikeeragh Hills.
They last up to five hours, leave Castlerock at 10am and cost £7.50. For these walks please bring along a packed lunch. The hugely popular Walk/Talks are back again and begin at 11am on both days.
These walks will cover the Downhill Demense on the Saturday and be led by a member of the National Trust and a local historian.
The Sunday walk will explore Downhill Forest and will be led by a forester with stories. Walkers will get the chance to discover lots of facts and information from their guides on these walks which cost £5 per person.On Sunday there is also a special family walk which will last up to an hour, is a great chance to get everyone involved and costs only £2 per family. This is led by the local Biodiversity officer who will point out wildlife seen on the walk.
The fee covers walk organisation, management and transport to the walks from the Peter Thompson Hall as well as some light refreshments. Upon returning to Castlerock, the CCA would encourage walkers to take the time to explore the rest of the seaside village and enjoy the warmth and craic in Castlerock.
The walks are for those of a reasonable fitness and appropriate clothing and footwear are recommended. Dogs are only permitted on the family walk and must be on a lead. Registration for all walks begins from 9am in the Peter Thompson Hall in Castlerock.
The CCA would like to especially thank the National Trust as well as Translink, Coleraine Borough Council, Limavady Borough Council, AONB Binevenagh and DECAL for their support for this event.
Official Website: http://www.coastlinecastlerock.org/newsarchive/walkfest2011.php
See More: http://walkingfestivals.blogspot.com/2011/01/castlerock-community-association.html
