The National Forest Walking Festival

The National Forest Walking Festival will take place between 15-29 May 2026.

Have you taken part in one of our 2025 walks?  We would love to gather your feedback.  Please complete our evaluation form to let us know what you think.

The National Walking Month falls during May and we think this is one of the best times of the year to be outdoors in the National Forest. The drama of spring blossom, the heady scent of bluebells carpeting ancient woodlands, and the chance to see wildlife in abundance, are all wonderful for the body and soul.

The Forest story is one of huge landscape-scale transformation, from black coalfields to green tree-scapes. Three decades of forest creation in this part of the Midlands demonstrates how trees can transform landscapes, communities and the economy.

Next year’s Festival will take place between 15-29 May 2026 – follow the Festival on Facebook for updates.  Once it is available, the full programme of walks will be downloadable from this page.   Alternatively, complete the online form and we will send a copy out to you.  The 2025 festival brochure is still available at the foot of this page to give you an idea of the type of walks on offer.

Why not stay overnight?  Explore accommodation in the Forest

The National Forest Walking Festival is supported by East Staffordshire Borough Council, Leicestershire County Council, the National Forest Company and South Derbyshire District Council together with the huge number of organisations and individuals that volunteer their time to design and lead walks.

If you would like more information regarding this event, accommodation, or general tourist information please email: info@visitsouthderbyshire.co.uk

If you would like to submit a walk or activity for next year’s Walking Festival, please email get.active@southderbyshire.gov.uk before September 2025.

Unable to join us for the Festival?  There are lots of walks featured on our Walks page for you to explore on your own or with friends and family.