THE LARGEST CHALLENGE being introduced to the annual Moray Walking Festival in June will see enthusiasts take on almost 100 miles in five days.
The annual festival has grown in popularity each year as it features some of the most scenic walks anywhere in the UK, the ten-day event taking participants around coasts, hills and forestry with a mix of challenges suitable to all ages and abilities.
Topping the endurance list this year is the Moray Way 5-Day Challenge – a 95-mile circular route tackled over five days along the Dava Way between Forres and Grantown-on-Spey, then the Speyside way on to Garmouth, concluding with the Moray Coastal Trail from Garmouth to Forres.
A spokesman said: “The object of this event is to walk the Moray Way in five easy stages using the various options available. This event is not a guided walk, but is monitored by the event organizer as you make your way around it.
“The challenge can be achieved by either using the park and ride facility, or by backpacking the route using campsites and hostelries along the route. There is a ‘baggage transfer’ service to support the event if you don’t want to carry a heavy pack along the route.
“If you don’t want to do the whole route, but fancy doing just a single day, then you can use the Park and Ride service and complete just one or more sections of the challenge which vary in length from 17 to 21 miles.”
Aimed at experienced long-distance walkers who would keep up a pace of 2.5mph over the five days, there are already 16 entrants willing to take on the challenge, one of 30 events planned for the 2016 festival.
For further details on the Moray Walking Festival, which takes place from June 16 to June 26, visit www.moraywalkingfestival.co.uk.