A RAMBLING group has taken steps to keep people strolling, despite having to cancel its annual walking festival.

The Ross-on-Wye Walkers are Welcome Group has produced a series of downloadable leaflets for 18 routes in the Ross area, so that family-sized groups or “bubbles” can take a ‘Summer of Self-Guided Walking’ trek around the local lanes and byways.

The group had to cancel this year’s Ross Annual Walking Festival owing to the uncertainty of restrictions and safety concerns caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

But realising that visitors can still come to Ross and walk in smaller groups or “bubbles”, they have put together routes for walkers to make the most of their trip.

Each leaflet describes one walk and gives route directions, interesting and useful comments, a clear map of the route and a GPX file that can be downloaded to a walkers’ satellite navigation device.

Walks range from two and a half miles up to eight miles in length, some starting close to the town centre and others a short drive away.

A spokesperson said: “The terrain covered includes the riverside, Chase Hill, Penyard Hill, Fownhope, Sollers Hope, Kilpeck, the Hope Mansell valley and Coppett Hill; all with interesting features and amazing views of the area.

“Many of the routes will be familiar to local walkers but it is hoped that the selection of interesting walks described will attract visitors from further afield.

“This aligns with the objectives of the Walkers are Welcome organisation, namely, to help boost the local economy by attracting walkers into the locality to walk and patronise local businesses.”

Go to www.walkinginross.co.uk/localwalks.html for more information.