National Forest Walking Festival

The National Forest Walking Festival will take place from Friday, 15th May to Friday, 29th May 2026

Each year, since 2021, has had a different theme and in 2026 it will be arts and culture.

We will be offering Nordic walks from culturally significant places such as mining villages, historic houses, army arboretums, brick making factories as well as an actual art session to make an amulet/talisman after we collect items on a Nordic walk!

We have permission from The Woodland Trust to use their woods such as Burroughs Wood for our Nordic walks.

Donations to support their amazing work can be made through their website: click on the image below.

We have been offering Nordic walks in the Leicestershire region of the National Forest as part of the National Forest Walking Festival since 2018.

Throughout the year, we Nordic walk at Martinshaw Woods, Burroughs Wood, Groby Pool, Ulverscroft, and Markfield and during the festival we travel further out to Thornton Reservoir, Bagworth Heath,  Hugglescote and Coalville.

Each year during the festival, our experienced Nordic walking instructor teaches people to Nordic walk through a special "Learn to Nordic Walk" 90 minute session. She can also offer these sessions as a bespoke package leading up to the festival - March/April so that you can get the most out of your Nordic walking. Please contact her through our email - ministryofnordicwalks@gmail.com