Alpacas, skywalks and treasure hunts . . just step this way!

The guided strolls – a lot of them free – take place throughout May. They range from “skywalks” across Bennerley Viaduct near Ilkeston to an “alpacas loop” near a farm that is home to the cute llama-like animals at Ockbrook.

There are gentle ambles including one called “Sofa2Stroll” – plus nature and photography walks and even a ramble where you get to paint rocks.

Residents who fancy trying Nordic walking – using poles like ones for skiing – are also catered for. 

The jam-packed season kicks off at 10:15am on Thursday 1 May at Ilkeston Town FC with a 90-minute event called “It’s good to walk, it’s good to talk”.

A highlight is towards the end of the month – on Wednesday 28 May – when a two-hour family treasure hunt is held from 10am at Long Eaton’s West Park Leisure Centre. While some of the Erewash Walking Month events are adults only many will welcome children.

There are 42 walks in total – with more than half taking place in the evenings or at weekends. 

The full list can be found at Erewash Walking Month 

People can join in some of them by just turning up -- but booking is recommended for many of the activities.

The council’s Community Health and Wellbeing Development team – which is behind the initiative – is also running a challenge which proved a hit last year. It is to clock up a total of 85 May miles by walking an average of 2.74 a day. 
Details of how to register are at the link above. Last year hiking fan Phil Haynes took just 12 days to hit the milestone at the age of 63.

Rachel Scott, who is the council’s Community Health and Wellbeing Officer, congratulated him – but was keen to stress: “We want people to walk at their own pace.

“This is about encouraging people to walk more often every day so should not be seen as a contest. We don’t want anyone to feel under pressure.
“That being said, Phil’s is a great achievement.”