Dartmoor Walking Festival 2020
22 – 30 August 2020
‘It is with great regret that after careful consideration and discussions between the festival organisers and the Dartmoor National Park we have taken the hard decision to cancel this year’s 2020 Dartmoor Walking Festival. On 13th August, after many weeks of difficult times managing the unprecedented challenges which the Dartmoor environment has faced, the National Park put out the following statement:
“In response to the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic and Government advice we cannot give support for any large-scale recreation events planned for the remainder of 2020. The National Park is experiencing an unprecedented number of visitors, recreation events will place increased pressure on areas that are already very busy and will compromise the safety of visitors and local communities…….”
We have no wish to add to the challenges which are being faced in managing Dartmoor in these difficult times.
Our guides will be contacting those who have booked onto events to make sure they get this message as soon as possible and we look forward to the possibility of running the 2021 Dartmoor Walking Festival as in previous years”
The first ever Dartmoor Walking Festival in 2016 was a great success and the very positive feedback really supported the idea of it becoming an annual event which is absolutely fabulous. Therefore Moorland Guides have held it again in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the public voted with their feet – literally – and it seems that the festival is here to stay!
The next festival will be held from Saturday 22nd August until Sunday 30th August 2020 inclusive which means that this will be the last full week of August. However we must stay vigilant to changes announced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and accept that we might need to make significant changes to the anticipated programme in respect to dates, events, numbers of walkers etc. In 2020 we are again teaming-up with the National Disabled Ramblers who have seen what 2018 and 2019 successes were like. Our chosen charity for 2020 is again the Devon Air Ambulance. Please keep an eye on our monthly newsletters and also this website for any changes which need to be made to the festival plans. Everyone at Moorland Guides offers every best wish for staying healthy and well, and enjoying the moors and the outdoors while adhering to government guidelines.
Further Information
Simon Dell
Moorland Guides (Director)
07845 176870
enquiries@moorlandguides.co.uk
The Dartmoor National Park are fully supporting the week with Ranger-led walks as well as archaeological visits and events and we are delighted to also have the support of those who live and work on Dartmoor within the Dartmoor Commoner’s Council.
Our aim is to have at least four events each day during the nine-day festival, so there really is something for everybody, with evening talks and walks included. The Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team is also supporting the week and if you have ever wondered what they do out in the dark when searching for missing walkers then come and join them on an evening exercise to find out more!
The week is only limited by your imagination so come along, come and explore Dartmoor on your Doorstep and find out more about this incredibly special place. As a result of last year’s feedback more evening events are also being planned.
We will be putting on several events each day during the nine-day festival ranging from modest guided strolls and children’s rambles to full day walks and ambitious challenges! There really will be something for everyone including ‘accessible’ events for the less mobile in partnership with the Disabled Ramblers Association.
In 2019 the festival raised over £1,400 for the Devon Air Ambulance (link here to the website) charity and in 2020 the Air Ambulance will remain the main charity for the festival which runs from Saturday 22nd August to Sunday 30th August.
In Partnership with:
