The Ross Walkers are Welcome Group is busy planning for the 10th Annual Ross Walking Festival, held from Friday, September 28th to Sunday, September 30th, in Ross and the local area.

The tenth edition of this popular festival has a mix of ‘Old Favourites’ and some new walks. Many of the 15 walks, both old and new, on offer include an element of food, always an attraction for hungry walkers. The ever popular “Last Cream Tea of Summer is a three-mile easy walk with a sumptuous cream tea at the half-way point.

For the past four years one of the most popular walks has been the steam train walk which includes lunch. This walk starts at the Forest of Dean Steam Centre at Norchard, near Lydney and takes in a steam train ride, a short walk through the forest and a Ploughman’s Lunch at the steam centre – a really good day out.

A new foodie walk also includes a bus ride. This walk, on Saturday takes the Number 32 bus to Gorsley. The walkers then return to Ross over Linton Ridge, ending up at Ross Garden Store for tea and cakes.

On Sunday there is an opportunity for the less able to take part in the festival when the four mile Ross Buggy Route will be featured. This starts and finishes at Hope Treasures café on the riverside. Food and drink again play a part.

Those energetic souls who like to stretch their legs are catered for with a nine or six mile option in the Forest of Dean, near St Braivels. This walk takes in the petrifying stream and a section of the Offa’s Dyke Path, Long Distance Trail.

A very popular walk with local walkers is in the Hope Mansell Valley. This 4.5 mile walk is named in memory of a long time member of Ross Ramblers, Joyce Salmon.

This is just a sample of what is on offer, book online at: www.rosswalkingfestival.co.uk or at the Ross or Monmouth branches of Rossiter Books.