The walk will run through the heart of Herefordshire from the historic Lugg Meadow on the outskirts of Hereford city following the picturesque River Lugg north through riverside pastures to finish at Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum.
This event is being organised by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust – registration is required. Full details and online registration here. Starts at 9am
All funds raised will support Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s work across its 55 nature reserves and Herefordshire’s landscapes.
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust is holding an ambitious Walk for Wildlife Saturday 30th September raising money to look after and enhance the 55 nature reserves in its care. The 12.5-mile walk follows the course of the River Lugg through the heart of Herefordshire’s beautiful countryside. The walk will depart from the historic Lugg Meadow on the outskirts of Hereford City by the Trust’s offices at Lower House Farm, off Ledbury Road. Heading north, meandering through riverside pastures, the route will finish up at Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum. Much of the route runs through public footpaths as well as across private land which have been opened exclusively for this event.
The route will be waymarked and there will be stops with water along the way manned by the Trust’s staff and volunteers. We will be setting off at 9am together then participants can take the walk as fast or slow as they wish (though it’s hoped that everyone makes it to Queenswood by dusk!). The route will include some rough ground, some steep climbs and no doubt mud! The route will not be suitable for push chairs, wheelchairs or mobility scooters. We suggest the walk is only suitable for older children (or very young children in slings or baby carriers) and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs on leads are also most welcome.
The Lower Lugg Valley is rich in wildlife with kingfishers often spotted along the river while otters are known to breed here too.
Registration for the event costs £12 per adult, under 14s are free. Additional sponsorship is welcome, and the entrant who raises the most money will win a prize.
The event is a fundraiser for Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s Nature Reserves Appeal, raising funds to support the regular management tasks undertaken on their 55 reserves and improve access for visitors. These reserves are important havens for wildlife and include some of the most special examples of meadows, woodlands, orchards and wetlands in the county. The Trust hopes the walk will raise around £1,000 towards their £40,000 target.