The Herefordshire Trail, a 154 mile circular walking route, is relaunching in time for the summer and the Herefordshire Walking Festival (18 – 26 June 2022), with walkers guided along the route by a series of new golden way makers, with cleared pathways and a 'walk the trail in a day' event on 17 June.

The relaunch has seen a collaboration between Herefordshire Council, Herefordshire Ramblers and Visit Herefordshire, working together to ensure that each of the 15 sections of the walk is in tip top condition to attract even more walkers to the county as well as launching an in-depth guide to the walk.

The trail was Herefordshire's first walking route entirely dedicated to exploring the county and was developed in 2004 by the Herefordshire Ramblers linking all five of the county's market towns and picturesque villages with easy public transport links too.

#FollowTheApple

Walkers will now be guided along the route by over 2000 new golden way markers featuring a distinctive rosy Herefordshire cider apple and urged to #FollowThAapple over the 154 mile route and enjoy the vast views, time-worn hollow ways threading through deep forest and flower-rich meadows.  Historic landmarks along the way include the ruins of some of England's earliest castles, the iron age hillforts of Wapley and Bache, Arthur's Stone neolithic chamber tomb and 12th century Dore Abbey.

Visit Herefordshire has launched a new 48-page guide which can be downloaded here. It breaks the walk down into 15 sections with overview directions, links to OS maps, each leg ranging in length between 7 to 15 miles, with the average distance being 9 miles.

Also introduced is a series of recommended 'ways to enjoy', the trail for those planning to visit breaking it down into shorter itineraries for a short break even a longer holiday including practical advice on recommended transport.  There's also a new six day 'Hike and Paddle' Challenge trip for those looking to really push themselves exploring the south west section from Ross on Wye over a 50 mile hike staying at country pubs, returning to the walk start by means of a three day 43 mile paddle, camping along the way. 

Herefordshire Trail in a Day – 17th June 2022

Coinciding with the relaunch of the trail is the 20th anniversary of the Herefordshire Walking Festival, a week-long festival of walks. To celebrate the relaunch a 'Trail in a Day' event is taking place inviting walkers across the county to join a series of walks happening concurrently on Friday 17 June 2022 when event organisers hope to gather hundreds of walkers led by expert leaders to hike a section of the trail covering distances ranging from 8 to 19 miles. Choose from a challenging trail running day, to orchard wanders with cider-tasting, or themed history, geology and wildlife walks. Participation is priced between £6 to £11 per person – details here: https://www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/inspiration/herefordshire-trail-day

For more information on Herefordshire visit www.visitherefordshire.co.uk 

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Social channels: 

Instagram @visit_herefordshire and Facebook @visitherefordshire  

#visitherefordshire #followtheapple #herefordshiretrail

Notes to Editors: 

For further press information please contact Fiona Reece and Claire Southern at Travel Tonic - 01452 346 116 or fiona@traveltonic.co.uk / claire@traveltonic.co.uk - and Emma Humphreys emma@emmahumphreys.co.uk  

About Herefordshire  

Bordering Wales, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, the county is easily accessible from the Midlands, Wales and the M4 Corridor. It is also a car journey of around 2-3 hours for Londoners heading West and those in Manchester and Cheshire heading South, making it a do-able weekend or short break destination. There is direct rail access from London Paddington to Hereford (3 hours) and to Ledbury (2.5 hours); and direct services from Manchester to Hereford (just over 2 hours). Plus, to aid car-free travel there is a good bus network around the county and plenty of cycle-friendly routes to enjoy, too. 

Herefordshire has a distinctly under discovered 'secret' feel; a place which draws you in with its rich history, vibrant food and drink scene, wild adventures, gorgeous gardens, real towns like Ledbury, Leominster, Bromyard and Ross on Wye, and the cathedral city of Hereford packed with independent shops and a creative community.