The Dursley Walking Festival 2016 will take place over four days next month with a series of free walks to explore the landscape and heritage of the area.

It is the 5th festival of its kind organised by members of the Dursley’s Walkers are Welcome group, and their walk leaders and sponsors.

Chairman of the group, Chris Cherry, said: “This year we have 22 walks for various levels of fitness and interests.

“On the first day there is a short ‘Health Walk’ at 2pm on local footpaths and pavements, and a 12 mile day walk called ‘The Low Road to Wotton’ on the last day.”

The group expect to see a good turnout of walkers and visitors to the town. They have set up the walks to welcome more people to the activity and promote the health benefits of participation.

Attractive local destinations have been chosen for the festival which will take place from Thursday October 6 to Sunday October 9.

The first walk begins at 11am on October 6 from the market place. It follows woodland paths, with some hilly sections, and features views of Dursley and Cam. It is six miles long and expected to take over 3 hours. Cream tea after the walk at The Hummingbird Café is optional.

Some of the walks encourage dog walkers, and hobbies such as bird-watching, photography and sketching.

There will be a formal launch with music at the Market Place in Dursley from 10 a.m. on Friday, October 7. Dursley Town Mayor, Neil Grecian, will make an appearance and the musician, Rod Penlington, will be playing. He is a musician known on the folk scene for his traditional and contemporary ballads. Fans enjoy that he adds humour to his songs and particularly like his powerful sea shanties.

There is also a quiz evening, including a ploughman’s supper, on Friday October 7, at 7.30pm, at the Dursley Community Centre. On Saturday October 8, at 7.30pm in the Town Hall there is an illustrated talk by Dave Green on the geology and scenery around Dursley and Wotton.

Some of the walks and social events have limited numbers so need to be pre-booked. The events carry a small fee but the walks are free of charge.

As American Singer Nancy Sinatra sang in her lyrics ‘Those boots were made for walkin’. If you are keen to muddy them see the full programme of festival walks on www.dursleywelcomeswalkers.org.uk or call 07743 307686 for information.