The National Trust for Jersey is staging its annual ‘Spring Walking Festival’ from 6 – 10 April.
Sponsored by Jersey Water, the festival is the perfect opportunity for visitors and local residents alike to enjoy the very best of the Island on foot at a traditionally beautiful time of the year.
The Spring Walking Festival has grown and this year offers 39 walking opportunities which take in National Trust lands and properties and areas all around the Island, north, south, east and west, including countryside and coastal trails and walks to more urban areas in the island.
Participants can enjoy walks at dawn and at sunset, nature trails, wildlife, geology, botany and even one specifically addressing climate change. Revolution, Trade, Immigration, ‘Living with the Enemy’ and the Occupation are areas covered during the five day event.
The National Trust is also joining forces with the Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark project and offering ‘deep time walks’ on Sunday 10th April in St Ouen’s Bay where participants can journey half a million years through time with every step, uncovering the processes which over millions of years have shaped the Island we know today.
Helier Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Jersey Water, said: “Our purpose is supplying the water for our island to thrive today and every day. Water is at the heart of island life and we are focused on securing that high-quality supply which we all need to flourish and prosper while protecting the landscapes we love.
“Our reservoirs are critical for supplying water, for our island’s biodiversity and as beautiful open spaces for you to enjoy. We are proud to be sponsoring the Spring Walking Festival and supporting the National Trust, an organisation very much aligned with our values.”
“There’s something for everyone as the walks focus on the National Trust's sites and wildlife and so are the perfect opportunity to get out in the fresh air and enjoy springtime with friends and family."
Each walk is led by a walking guide or specialist and is tailored to a specific area or site.
Donna Le Marrec. Marketing and Events Manager for The National Trust in Jersey said: “We’re fortunate to have many wonderful sites in our care; woodlands, coastal areas, wetlands and what better way to enjoy them, but with a walking festival. This year we have really extended the festival with a lot more walks on offer covering most of the Island. We offer the opportunity to experience ‘behind the scenes’ activities such as access to a particular site or to somewhere not normally available to the public with really knowledgeable guides. We’re very grateful for Jersey Water’s support, as without them this activity wouldn’t be possible”.
The festival starts on Wednesday 6 April with the first walks at 10.00 am. Finishing on Sunday 10 September with an afternoon town trail around St Helier and a circular walk around La Rocque. All walks are free for National Trust members (except the Deep Time walk which is £5) and £10 per walk for non-members.