The country’s newest long distance walking trail, the National Forest Way, launches this weekend.
The route takes in 75 miles of public and permissive footpaths, crossing The National Forest from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire.
The launch will take place at the National Forest Walking Festival, which starts on Saturday.
Volunteers have been out testing and waymarking the route. One said: “Walking the National Forest Way, you are constantly surprised by the variety of what you see. All England is here: coal and granite, heathland and hills, meadow and water – all framed by woodland.”
Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, added: “This is a very special moment in the development of The National Forest. The new National Forest Way is an expression of how far we have come over the last 20 years an. Creating habitats for wildlife, working with communities and our local landowners, building businesses that have grown out of the Forest – all this work is part of what we have achieved in the Forest so far.”
The launch event will see walkers take on four different routes and there will be a a celebratory tea party for volunteer ramblers and individuals who have helped route testing and waymarking.
The National Forest Way has been created by a partnership of the National Forest Company and Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire County Councils, with the support of estate agents Fisher German and local landowners.
