The Bollington Walking Festival is back this September, offering nine days of guided walks, sociable events and fresh ways to explore the wonderful countryside on our doorstep.
The 16th festival takes place from Saturday 5 to Sunday 13 September 2026, with an evening launch walk on Friday 4 September. It is a brilliant opportunity to get out into the landscape around Bollington, whether you are looking for an easy local stroll, a leisurely social walk or a more energetic day on the hills.
Something for every kind of walker
The programme includes walks graded from easy to strenuous, alongside special-interest outings and social events. There are short, accessible options as well as longer routes that head farther into the Cheshire countryside and towards the Peak District edge.
Among the varied programme are early-morning White Nancy challenges, countryside and history walks, family-friendly options, canal and park routes, and longer hill days for those wanting a proper test of the legs. There are also activities designed to make the festival more inclusive, including a dementia-friendly walk and a sensory walk with East Cheshire Eye Society.
For many of us, the joy is as much about the shared experience as the mileage: meeting new people, discovering an unfamiliar path and seeing familiar views in a different light. Bollington is a particularly fine place to do all three. From the sweep of the valley beneath White Nancy to lanes, woodland, canal towpaths and open moor, there is a great deal of walking country to enjoy.
Plan your visit
Each event has its own grade, distance, start time and joining information, so it is worth taking a few minutes to explore the programme before you set out. Some walks and events need booking, while others may have different requirements. Choose an outing that suits your experience and fitness, wear suitable footwear and clothing for the weather, and bring water and any food you may need.
The festival team has published the full programme online, along with essential information, travel advice and accommodation suggestions. Printed leaflets are also available locally.
Whether you join one walk or make a week of it, the Bollington Walking Festival is a lovely reason to celebrate the paths, people and landscape of East Cheshire.
