The path, which runs around beautiful Weymouth Bay from Rufus Castle on Portland to Lulworth Cove, will bring huge benefits to the local area; boosting tourism and the seaside economy, as well as improving social wellbeing, health and enjoyment. The Ramblers is now urging the government to press on with the next stages of this exciting project and bring the benefits of the coastal path to the rest of England.

“This is a great day for walkers everywhere as we see the first steps towards our vision of a continuous English coastal path become a reality,” commented Justin Cooke, Ramblers Senior Policy Officer. “An English coastal path would take in exhilarating cliff-top walks, breathtaking shorelines, an abundance of wildlife and millions of years of the earth’s history, as well as breathing new life to our coastal villages and seaside towns. We now urge the government to clearly set out the timeline for the next stretches of the path and bring the benefits of this exciting project to the rest of the country.”

Meanwhile, the recently-completed Welsh coastal path is set to launch on 5th May; making Wales the first country in the world to have a continuous coastal path. And inland waterways will get a boost too, with the government announcing yesterday that the new charity for Britain’s waterways will receive over £1 billion of funding. The Canals and Rivers Trust, which replaces British Waterways, was set up to manage Britain’s waterways for public benefit and enjoyment; including public access on foot.

“With millions of people each year using our canals and rivers it is clear that a walk besides Britain’s waterways is an important part of our cultural heritage,” says Kate Conto, Ramblers Senior Policy Officer. “This funding announced today is good news for walkers and waterway users everywhere, meaning that the Trust can take the best first steps possible towards protecting our waterways and ensuring that they can be enjoyed by all. The Ramblers warmly welcome this commitment to our waterways and the importance of improving public access to our rivers and canals for recreation, health and social wellbeing.”

The Ramblers lobbied hard to make certain that public access to the country’s towpaths and canal side footpaths formed part of the Trust’s charitable objectives, in recognition of the fact that walkers are amongst the biggest group of people to use our canals and rivers. The new funding will enable the charity to build from a solid platform, which means it can concentrate on protecting, restoring and improving the charity’s 2,200 miles of canals and rivers and increasing public access to them.

They say good news comes in threes, and this week was no exception – with the announcement that public access to an historic piece of Kent countryside will be restored following a ruling by the magistrates’ court.

The historic site at Capel Battery on the cliff top at Capel-le-Ferne, which was dedicated as Open Access Land some years ago under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, had been controversially closed off to the public for more than two years after a 6ft fence was erected by the landowner. Open Access Land should be open for the public to use for recreation and enjoyment but after purchasing the land in 2009, the landowner fenced off the site and began excavations of a World War II battery and underground hospital.

After negotiations failed to convince the landowner to restore public access to the land, Kent County Council took the case to court. The magistrates’ court has now ordered all obstructions to the site to be removed within 60 days. Local Ramblers, who had called for the site to be reopened and have been supporting the court case, have warmly welcomed the news.

“This is great news for walkers as it means that the public will again be able to enjoy this piece of Kent countryside,” says Margaret Lubbock, Chair of White Cliff Ramblers. “Open Access Land is there for everyone to use and it is sad that the entire 13 acres of this site has been fenced off for the past two years. We are pleased that the Magistrate’s Court saw fit to return this scenic and historic setting to the public.”

For breaking news as it happens, why not follow walk magazine and Ramblers on Twitter? 

Top image: Ringstead Bay with Weymouth Bay beyond, by Andrew Smith. Middle image: Canal bridge 102 on the Grand Union Canal by Andy F. Lower image: The Warren from near Capel-le-Ferne by Ian Capper, all via www.geograph.org.uk.

We’ve watched the comedy of the European veto that didn’t stop anything. Cringed at the farce accompanying the Big Society which despite multiple relaunches is no longer mentioned even by its main protagonist. And now we are witnessing the unfolding tragedy behind the pledge to be ‘the greenest government ever’. This hubristic claim was made way back in the euphoric early days of the coalition government on 14 May 2010 to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on a trip round Whitehall to explain the new government.

It began with him telling us that he ‘cared passionately’ about the environment and saw real possibilities in boosting initiatives in the area. Then came the ill-fated forestry sell off proposals. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible – in its own words – “for the protection and expansion of Britain’s forests and woodlands”. In England it manages 250,000 hectares comprising approximately 1,500 forests, including the Forest of Dean, the New Forest and Kielder Forest which is about 18% of the total woodland. Back in January the government pledged to sell off 15% of this holding by 2015. Cue public outrage and scathing criticism from august organisations like the National Trust, Ramblers and RSPB. Not to forget the Daily Telegraph and the Today programme. It was the making of 38 Degrees and the virtual world of groups like mumsnet were awash with scornful comments on the proposal. All swiftly followed by a rapid u-turn by the government. So far so bad and not very green.

Then there’s the solar panel fiasco. The government is committed to increasing the amount of energy generated from renewable sources. Back in 2010 before a subsidy was introduced for those generating power from solar panels we created a derisory 30 megawatts. In October 2011 we had increased this to a much better figure of 321 megawatts (an impressive tenfold increase.) Over 90,000 homes, including me, had carried out installation. This not only sounds like a success but is a success. So what does DECC do – with effect from 12 December it slashes the tariff rate from 43p per kilowatt hour to 21p a full 5 months ahead of schedule and 2 weeks before it’s own consultation period considering the issue was due to close. This prompted successful legal action by Friends of the Earth challenging the legitimacy of this decision and a whole industry warning it was close to collapse meaning the possible loss of over 15,000 jobs. The courts ruled the government’s tariff change illegal and their whole policy is left in disarray – sound familiar?

What about the Green Investment Bank I hear you ask. Frequently trotted out by ministers wishing to establish their green credentials it will not be able to borrow money for years. Fuel duty was reduced in the budget and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) suffered savage cuts. Local councils are laying off rights of way staff left, right and centre and Greg Clark, the Planning minister, proposed planning reforms that would have seen our current 1,000+ pages of policy reduced to just 52. One wonders what they’ve filled out the 52 with because the new policy appears to be ‘build where you bloody well like’ at the same time as completely scrapping the equally important environmental and social elements of the system. Conflating ‘sustainable development’ and ‘sustainable economic growth’ has meant, according to the Commons select committee responsible for reviewing the reforms, the strong possibility that there will be more legal actions challenging proposals not less.

But the final nail in the ‘greenest government ever’ coffin came in the Chancellor’s autumn statement. “We are not going to save the planet by shutting down our steel mills, aluminium smelters and paper manufacturers. All we will be doing is exporting valuable jobs out of Britain,” announced George Osborne in promising amongst other things an airport, at great environmental cost, in the Thames estuary that no one wants or needs. Incidentally he seemed to be harking back to an industrial old Britain redolent of Orwell’s novels. In addition to this support for heavy industry, he spoke of the “ridiculous cost” that EU initiatives on the environment were imposing on firms, and emphasised the burden that green policies were placing on the economy. Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat Environment Secretary, is said to be furious, having not been consulted.

So the journey from the noble aspiration of being ‘the greenest government ever’ to becoming the most environmentally destructive government to hold power in this country since the modern environmental movement was born is complete. At the heart of the problem is not just austerity, but the perception in government that pursuing green policies is an inconvenient burden on the economy rather than a necessity and an opportunity.

After all that national gloom let’s take a quick look at some local disquiet. Those of you familiar with the Capital Ring will remember that the route takes you through the grounds of the unbelievably posh, public Harrow School as part of one stretch. Up until 8 years ago I understand it followed the route of a 19th century footpath. I am familiar with the route – known as Footpath 57 to the local authority – and have always enjoyed it for the marvellous vista of London as you walk down from Harrow on the Hill.

A few years ago the school wanted to further develop the grounds and 2 more all-weather pitches were proposed to be built on top of the right of way. I say more because if you visit this part of London it seems to have more pitches than Hackney Marshes. As I understand it the local Ramblers, being a co-operative bunch, agreed as long as an alternative route was created. The path you walk today is clearly signed as permissive and Harrow School swiftly built the pitches but as yet have not confirmed the other route as a path that would be available as a right for everyone to walk for ever.

Not only that but they are now threatening to shut the permissive path as a part of their ‘developing anti-trespass policy’. This policy seems to be ‘developing’ along standard class warfare lines. They’re rich and arrogant and don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. They think that just because they charge £30,000 a year per student and a couple of their ex-pupils were Prime Minister they can do what they like. Their attitude has always been one of sufferance. Go along and walk this part of the Capital Ring and you’ll notice numerous large signs telling you where you can’t walk in contrast to the smaller fingerposts showing you the correct route. I found the atmosphere is unwelcoming and hostile, while for others I’ve spoken to the route is confusing which leads to a wandering about looking for the correct path.

As I understand it the local council, are supporting North West London Ramblers in their struggle with Harrow School. As local councillor Sue Anderson (Labour, Greenhill) said: “I think the area should be open as it is a right of way and you can’t just fence that off”. And Gareth Thomas (Labour), Harrow West MP, has added: “The route has been here for decades and it’s not right to block the footpath. I hope the school will listen to the public who use the path.” It is to be hoped that common sense prevails and this doesn’t end up in the courts because the school should not get away with their selfish decision to make this area even more exclusive. Why not add your weight to this argument and let the school know you want to use the path.
George Orwell described doublethink as the act of simultaneously accepting two mutually contradictory beliefs as correct. Put into practice nationally and locally it’s enough to make this grown man cry.

Things to do instead of/as well as crying:

Join The Ramblers
Fit solar panels
Oppose the Thames Estuary airport
Contact Harrow Council about Rights of Way

Support the work of the Ramblers – sponsor me here:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=walkingclasshero

Aloe Blacc – I Need A Dollar
Penguin Cafe Orchestra – Walk Don’t Run
Pink Floyd – Run Like Hell

Useful links:
o The Ramblers
o National Trust
o RSPB
o Friends of the Earth
o 38 Degrees
o George Orwell 
o David Cameron
o John Major
o George Osborne
o Chris Huhne
o Gareth Thomas
o 1984
o DECC 
o DEFRA 
o Green Investment Bank
o Harrow School
o Capital Ring

Listen to:

Stonestorm – Doublethink
British Sea Power – Who’s In Control
Ry Cooder – No Banker Left Behind
Eurythmics – Doubleplusgood
Build Buildings – A Solar Panel
Billy Bragg – We’re Following The Wrong Star
Steve Harley – Harrow On The Hill

Follow me @walkngclasshero

A much-loved path for Lake District walkers has finally been repaired and restored after 2009’s record-breaking floods washed it away. The historical route, which Alfred Wainwright described as “one of the pleasantest of foot passes”, was regularly climbed by walkers heading for Haystacks, one of Wainwright’s favourite peaks and his last resting place. 

Since the floods, walkers have had to struggle around a landslide as LDNPA staff worked out how to obtain the £70,000 required to fund the repairs. Following a successful bid to the Rural Development Programme for England, specialist engineers were asked to design and build a solution. Managing the surface water was as important to ensure that a similar failure didn’t happen again elsewhere along the path, so contractors Metcalfe Plant Hire of Penrith came up with the idea of using more than 100 tonnes of materials recovered from the bottom of the slope to fill the gap. At the same time slate from nearby Honister Mine was used to create a drain which catches the water and directs it away from the affected area. The 30m landslide which created a large gap on the bridleway between Gatesgarth and Scarth Gap is now being used by walkers again allowing them to enjoy views over Buttermere.

 “I’m really delighted that the bridleway has been repaired,” says Lake District National Park Paths for the Public Project Coordinator, Dylan Jackman. “It’s been a while coming, but it has been quite a unique project and something that needed careful consideration.”

For more about walking in the Lake District, visit www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/outdoors/walking

Image by Ian Greig via geograph.org.uk 

This month we are checking out one of the faintest of the constellations, primarily to offer you the challenge of picking out this obscure group which graces the skies in the region of the Pole Star. During winter evenings, the faint constellation Camelopardalis can be spotted a little to the north of the overhead point. To find it, you first of all need to find Polaris, the Pole Star, shown here on a finder chart which depicts the Plough and Ursa Minor as seen in the northern sky during January evenings. Following a line from Merak, through Dubhe, as shown on the main chart, will lead you to the Pole Star. The stars forming the giraffe can be seen stretching away from the region of Polaris roughly towards the overhead point, and you should be able to pick out the constellation reasonably easily providing the sky is dark, clear and free of moonlight.

The constellation of Camelopardalis is long and straggling and indeed resembles the character it depicts, lying in an area of sky containing no bright stars and which consequently was left blank by Greek astronomers. Camelopardalis was originally devised by the Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius in 1613 and was first depicted graphically in 1624 by the German astronomer Jacob Bartsch who included it in his star chart published that year. The constellation is thought to represent the animal which carried Rebecca on her journey to Canaan and her marriage to Isaac.

Click to enlarge

The brightest star in Camelopardalis is Beta, a yellowish supergiant around a hundred times the size of our Sun and which shines from a distance of well over 1,000 light years. Slightly fainter is the somewhat-unromantically named CS, a bluish star which lies at a distance of around 4,000 light years. Considerably closer than these two is Gamma, a star whose light set off towards us a little over 300 years ago.

Of particular interest in Camelopardalis is Kemble’s Cascade. Named after the Franciscan Friar and amateur astronomer Lucian J. Kemble, this slightly-meandering chain of unrelated stars is a pretty sight when viewed through binoculars. Also known as the Waterfall, it stretches for a distance equal to around five times the diameter of a full Moon. To locate it, start from a point roughly a third of the way from the star BE towards CS.  Kemble’s Cascade can then be seen as a meandering line of stars roughly in the direction of the star 7, one of the southernmost stars in Camelopardalis. If the sky is fairly dark and moonless, and you sweep the area with binoculars, you should easily pick out this pretty collection of stars.

Although not the topic of mythology that some constellations are, why not take a trip outdoors to check out the stars which form this faint constellation, and give yourself a pat on the back if you manage to identify its major stars! Happy stargazing!

Click here for more astronomy tips from Brian Jones.

Now, six years on, the Woodland Trust has completed the first stage of the restoration of the forest – including thinning almost all the areas of Wentwood in the Trust’s care which had been previously been planted with conifers to provide space and light for native oak, beech and hazel to take their place. What the Trust has not done, however, is to clear-fell large areas of the forest. This ensures that the land still feels like a wood and, crucially, can protect the rare and vulnerable woodland flora, such as woodland ferns, that could be killed off by the shock of clear-felling.

“It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to restore Wales’ largest remaining ancient forest,” says Barry Embling, responsible for the management of Wentwood. ”Over the past five years we’ve removed tens of thousands of tonnes of conifer trees, creating much improved habitats for the whole range of wildlife associated with ancient woodland, including dormouse, pipistrelle bat, song thrush and bullfinch. Other declining and nationally rare species which should benefit from the restoration include wood warbler, willow tit (Wentwood is the last place for this species in Gwent), cuckoo, tree pipit, goshawk and badger.”

Like all Woodland Trust sites, Wentwood has its own website at www.wt-woods.org.uk/wentwood which includes a map, notes about what to look out for, and the Woodland Trust’s long term plans for the forest.

Image: Beeches along ancient hollow lane, Wentwood. Photo by Rory Francis/WTPL.

We’ll be revealing your votes for favourite new gear, with everything from the popular Best Walking Boot to the coveted Best Mid-Layer up for grabs. We’ll honour your favourite overall walking brand, name the best national retailer, then move on to eagerly-awaited winner of the new “Best Rambler-Led Walk” award. Plus, you’ll get a chance to see and meet the people the people behind your favourite brands, as well as some familiar faces from Ramblers and the pages of walk.

Elsewhere at this year’s show (which also includes entry to the Bike, Boat and Active Travel shows*) you’ll find an embarrassment of  riches awaiting you – from adventurous activities like ice climbing and zipwiring to a food market and a beer and wine tasting experience. Speakers on the main stage include urban birder David Lindo, BBC2 personality Cameron McNeish and walk contributor Paddy Dillon, plus experts, photographers and adventurers. For those up for a challenge, the Climbing Village will feature a wide range of walls for the complete beginner to accomplished climbers, or head for the Travel & Adventure Stage, where you can hear from to a wide range of explorers, including shipwreck hunter David Mearns and world record-breaking adventurers. There’ll also be highlights from the Banff Mountain Film Festival showcasing throughout the weekend, an entire photography village for those looking for tips and tricks, plus a new ‘Careers in the Outdoors’ clinic for anyone considering trading the office for the forest. Hope to see you there, and do come say hello!

*Your Outdoors Show ticket also includes a free showguide courtesy of TGO Magazine and a goody bag. To book, visit www.theoutdoorshow.co.uk.

Under 16s winner Chloe Hinton says of her winning image, entitled Sunrise Horses, ”the frosty background represents the cold winter we had last year, however the horses look happy and content and don’t seem to mind. The background behind is typical New Forest and I think this is a perfect ‘dream view’. The pony is probably the most common New Forest animal that roams freely.”

This year, to mark the Olympic Games coming to London, the 2012 competition has a special Olympic theme with the categories of gold, silver and bronze – and a wider creative remit with photographs, paintings, sculpturse, stories or poems of the New Forest welcome – so think golden sunsets, sliver light on water, bronze autumn leaves.

For more information on how to enter, visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/news/olympics-competition

The exhibition at Moors Valley is on now until 15 January 2011. For more information, and details of their Stargazing Live event in January, visit www.moors-valley.co.uk

The few precious days left before Christmas can only mean one thing – the annual Ramblers Festival of Winter Walks is nearly upon us! This year’s celebration aims to get the nation on its feet and out enjoying the country’s urban routes, countryside trails and forest footpaths over the holidays. All walks are free – so as a keen walker, the festival is a great chance to introduce friends and family members to the joys of life on foot – especially those who might have had too much turkey and stuffing!

For the first time ever, the event starts on Christmas Eve; giving you 10 whole days of free, festive, fun-filled walking adventures. Highlights this season include:

Festive Christmas Eve Linear Walk
10am, Sat 24 December 2011
Join the Southampton Ramblers for a 10km/6-mile riverside stroll in festive garb (if you fancy it!) on this Christmas Eve ramble. There’ll be a leisurely tipple in the Master Builder’s pub at Buckler’s Hard, before returning along the river to Beaulieu.

Christmas Pudding Buster
9am, Mon 26 December 2011
Walk off the Christmas excess with the traditional hangover cure of a slightly strenuous 13km/8-mile circular walk in the beautiful Brecon Beacons. It’s the perfect way to get the blood pumping and the alcohol perspired on Boxing Day. Dogs are welcome.

Clive’s Christmas Curry
10.30am, Tue 27 December 2011
A 8km/5-mile walk with Wyre Forest members around Droitwich via the new canal, finishing off with a well deserved curry at the Raj Tandoori. Pre-booking and deposit required.

A New Year Mystery Walk
10am, Sun 1 January 2012
A walk to blow away the excesses of the Yuletide and New Year festivities with the Mansfield & Sherwood Walking Group. Meet at Mansfield railway station.

New Year’s Day in the North Downs countryside
10am, Sun 1 January 2012
Join the Woking Ramblers on a beautiful 14km/9-mile country walk to kick off the first day of 2012. They will be following established paths and lanes through Gatwick village, passing through woodlands, over Crooksbury Common, and across heathlands, before returning along the North Downs Way.

To find a walk near you, check out the Ramblers Festival of Winter Walks website.

Image by Susulyka

I think it was Heraclitus who said: ‘Mortals are immortal, immortals mortal, living their death, dying their life’. He’d have said it in ancient Greek of course and I’m not sure I fully understand what it means but it often springs into my mind when I’m looking at a scene that seems to be old and new as well as in the process of change all at the same time.

Take a walk down from Tower Hill towards the Thames using the subway system and stop just before the Tower of London. Fix Heraclitus in your mind and think of his aphorism. Here you can see exposed some of the brickwork from the original Roman wall constructed around 190. Lifting your head you see the Tower where building began just after the conquest in 1066. Shuffle around a bit and crane your neck and you can see City Hall, the home of the Greater London Authority, which was opened in 2002. And dominating this, and seemingly every London skyline, is the nearly completed Shard which is due to open in May 2012. This small snapshot of London shows you the physical manifestation of very nearly 2000 years of building. Paradoxically it manages to convey permanence and flux at one and the same time.

I love London and this combination of dynamism and history is an important part of the charm for me. Indeed I think the best way to experience this is by traipsing about at street level soaking it all in by some strange process of osmosis. Even so every so often I come across a change that fair takes my breath away. Last month I went to see the mighty Chelsea beat Wolves 3-0. I’m coming up to my 50th consecutive year seeing at least one home game at Stamford Bridge. Since I’ve been old enough to drink my pre- or post- (or often both) game ritual involved a visit to the working man’s club in Britannia Street opposite the stadium for a few beers. Imagine my shock last year when I found it had been demolished. Perhaps it was the irony of working men in Chelsea that appealed to me but in many ways I’ll be more able to deal with Chelsea moving away from Stamford Bridge than this. These days I start off with a couple of beers in The Atlas in West Brompton.

During that year I’d been walking around Blackheath and discovered that my old school had been demolished to make way for housing. This change pleased me – housing seems a much better use of the land than the hate ridden place I’d been educated in. However, the houses haven’t yet been built and rather disappointingly the Catholic church had built a bigger and shinier new school across the road. (They’ve changed the saint’s name from Joseph to Matthew though – wonder what that signifies.) If you then add in that the place I first worked other than Saturday jobs was the long closed London Evening News in Bouverie Street and that my first job after uni was in the now rebuilt office block above Cannon Street station I was left with the overwhelming feeling that my past was being re-written around me.

And, of course, it’s not just London that epitomises constant change. (It’s true I’m London-centric but not that much). Whenever I go to Manchester I make sure I visit the site of the Hacienda. The canal side of the new building commemorates the key events of this club. I’m not entirely sure this works for me – it’s almost as if they are apologising for knocking it down. As George Harrison sang: ‘A cloudburst doesn’t last all day’. Sometimes that’s a bit difficult to believe up in Manchester.

Support the work of the Ramblers – sponsor me here:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=walkingclasshero

I completed the Grand Union half marathon in 2 hours 19 minutes. Thanks to everybody who sponsored me.

Aloe Blacc – I Need A Dollar
Moby – Run On
The Rolling Stones – Before They Make Me Run – 2009 Re-Mastered Digital Version

Useful links:

• The Ramblers
• Inner London Ramblers
• Ramblers Board of Trustees
• Heraclitus
• Tower Hill
• London Wall
• Tower of London
• City Hall
• The Shard
• Chelsea FC
• Wolverhampton Wanderers
• The Atlas
• London Evening News
• The Hacienda
• George Harrison

Watch:
George Harrison

Listen to:

The Waterboys – All Things Must Pass
The Webb Sisters – Everything Changes/21
The Faces – Debris
Billy Bragg – Glad and Sorry
Neil Young – My My, Hey Hey – Out Of The Blue Album Version
New Order – Blue Monday

 Follow me @walkngclasshero

Tim Lidstone-Scott, trail manager for the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path, was at the conference, taking careful note of how other trails were funded.

“Particularly prevalent among western trails was the reduced funding, and how to attract private sector investment,” he said. “The Appalachian Trail and Bruce Trail are both run by not-for-profit membership organisations with little direct exchequer funding. Would this model work in the UK?”

For the time being, East Asian trails are booming, and on the island of Jeju the recently-established, easy-going Jeju Olle Trail attracts increasing numbers of trekkers. Riding on the back of the World Trail Conference, the Jeju Olle Walking Festival brought thousands more walkers onto the trail over four days. Television crews from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China filmed long lines of walkers whose passion and enthusiasm was awe-inspiring.

The Jeju Olle Trail has forged links with trails in Canada and Switzerland, as well as with Britain’s Cotswold Way. Similar ‘Friendship Trails’ will no doubt appear around the world in due course.

Clearly, the whole walking scene in East Asia is growing with considerable vigour, and it may be that we in the West will be looking more and more at how they develop and manage their trails and events. For the time being, the World Trail Conference closed by launching the World Trail Network, aiming to keep the world’s trail managers in touch with each other, sharing ideas and expertise.

Find out more

World Trail Network: www.worldtrail.org

Jeju Olle Trail: www.jejuolle.org

Jeju Olle Walking Festival: www.ollewalking.co.kr

Pictures top to bottom

Cultural entertainment forms part of the Jeju Olle Walking Festival.

Tim Lidstone-Scott at the launch of the Cotswold Way / Jeju Olle Friendship Trail.

One step at a time – onwards and upwards on the Jeju Olle Trail.

The Jeju Olle Trail is designed for easy-going long-distance strollers.