There will be more themed walks covering wildlife and local history, longer walks along the South Telford Heritage Trail and a circular tour of the Gorge, making the festival both more challenging for the experienced walker, and more interesting for those wanting to find out more about this fascinating and beautiful area. The walks are free but some ask for a donation.
Co-ordinated by the Green Wood Centre, the festival is organised by a partnership of ten local groups, which each lead their own outings. Every event has a theme such as the Wild Garlic Ramble and Coalbrookdale Arboretum on Saturday, 3 May leaving the Green Wood Centre at 2pm, and a Dawn Chorus Walk at Benthall Edge starting at 5.30am on Sunday, 4 May.
There are six local history walks led by Harriet Devlin from the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust with some visiting the restored watercourses around Coalbrookdale and sites of old mines in the valley. Several more strenuous outings take in the whole of the Severn Gorge and beyond.
Pre-booking is essential for most of the walks; places can be reserved via the walk organiser and dogs on a lead are welcome on all of the outings.
For a copy of the festival programme and further information call 01952 432769 or email courses@greenwoodcentre.org.uk; details can also be downloaded from www.greenwoodcentre.org.uk.
