Around the Weald in 80 Ways

High Weald Walking Festival 2026

The programme for this year’s High Weald Walking Festival is now live, offering nine days of wonderful walking in one of England’s finest protected landscapes.

All of the walks are free. Many operate on a ‘turn up on the day’ basis, while some require advance booking via the Walking Festival website.

Between 12 and 20 September there will be 80 guided and self-guided walks taking place all across the High Weald.  Whether you’re new to countryside walking, looking for a family-friendly nature walk or a rewarding 13-mile hike, there’s something to suit every age, interest and ability.  It’s a great way to learn more about the history and wildlife of the High Weald and meet new friends along the way.

A landscape made for walking

The festival is a chance to experience the High Weald from a fresh perspective, with walks led by local experts, historians, ecologists, archaeologists and countryside specialists. This year’s programme includes:

• Walks from railway stations, making it easy to leave the car behind, with routes starting from East Grinstead, Balcombe and Robertsbridge stations.
  
• Nature and wildlife walks, exploring everything from the South East’s newest nature reserve at Ironhurst Valley and the rare mosses of Fairlight Glen to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, valley bogs, glow-worm habitats and the story of the pine marten.
  
• History and archaeology walks, following ancient routeways, forgotten railways and iron industry sites, or joining archaeologists to search for evidence of prehistoric hunter-gatherers who lived in the High Weald more than 8,000 years ago.
  
• Exclusive access walks, including guided visits to Wadhurst Park and Gravetye Estate, where you’ll hear first-hand about landscape restoration, wildlife and conservation.
  
• Evening and dark skies experiences, with a special guided walk beneath the stars at Bewl Water to explore the constellations and the importance of protecting our dark skies.
  
• Wellbeing walks, offering a gentler pace through some of the High Weald’s most beautiful landscapes, with opportunities to relax, connect with nature and meet new people.
  
• Walks for all abilities, from easy one-mile introductions to walking and family-friendly heritage trails through to challenging 13½-mile hikes across some of the High Weald’s most spectacular countryside.

Find a walk near you

Use the map below to find a walk near you and click for further details. Further information and booking details are on the walking festival website.

Discover new places

With more than 2,500km of public rights of way, the High Weald is one of the South East’s finest walking landscapes. Ancient woodland, sandstone outcrops, hidden gill streams, rolling farmland, historic routeways and picturesque villages combine to create a landscape where every walk tells a different story.

Now in its ninth year, the much-loved walking festival brings together the High Weald National Landscape team, local Ramblers groups and a wide range of partners, including Forestry England, RSPB, Kent and Sussex Wildlife Trusts, Ashdown Forest Conservators, Groundwork South, the William Robinson Gravetye Charity, Wadhurst Park and many others.

The festival is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and celebrate the stunning High Weald. Everyone is welcome, and we’d love you to join us!

Browse the full programme and book your walks at www.highwealdwalks.org

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