Ballater Walking Festival

Ballater Walking Festival 2023 is from the 3rd -9th June

We are delighted to say that the Ballater Walking Festival will take place in June. This is a change this year, but as two of the volunteer committee have daughters getting married in May, it was decided to go ahead in June in 2023. We have a great new programme of walks that is now on-line, so that people can decide with others in their party, which walks they would like to do, prior to booking which will open on January 20th. We are still trying to organise transport at a reasonable cost and thus the prices are not yet listed.

Walkers will need to prebook each walk using our online booking system which will open on 20th January. Please do not send your bookings or any cheques by post. Each walk has a limited number of places, so please only book walks that you feel you would be able to do.

Equipment required: Please bring a small first aid kit for self-treatment of minor injuries and it would be useful to have face masks, hand sanitiser, and disposable gloves. Also bring a pen to complete the waterproof ‘in case of emergency’ (ICE) card, which you will be asked to complete at the start of your first walk.  The ICE card should be put in the top of your rucksack, and you can also speak to the leader or a helper should you wish to give further information.

Do not forget that our climate in June can be changeable, from surprisingly cold to roasting and anything in between!  Please dress accordingly and pack your rucksack with extra gear as required. Do not forget to bring water, hot drinks, snacks/lunch, gloves, woolly bunnets, spare socks, sun hats, sunglasses, sun-cream, walking poles and £5 in coins for car parking.  The leader has the authority to shorten, change or abandon any walk in the case of bad weather or dangerous terrain such as high rivers or waterlogged bogland.

There will be a programme of evening entertainment events on Saturday with a welcome reception and on Friday with the final fling ceilidh (Scottish dancing), and perhaps two events mid week. We hope that on the other evenings you will go out and meet some of your new acquaintances in Ballater.