Countryside walking group invites residents to explore local footpaths

Residents are being invited to discover new trails across Wiltshire as a long-running countryside walking group expands its local membership.

The West Wilts Ramblers are inviting locals to join their bi-weekly outings, which cover footpaths across Melksham, Westbury, Frome, Trowbridge, Warminster and their surrounding villages as well as the open spaces of Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs.

Formed in 1977 as part of the national walking charity The Ramblers, the West Wilts group has grown to include over 300 members.

Walks take place every Wednesday and Sunday, featuring routes ranging from four to seven miles on Wednesdays and more challenging paths exceeding nine miles on Sundays.

Regular Challenge Walks are also available for experienced walkers.

Alongside the regular walks, members can participate in a variety of social activities throughout the year, including skittles evenings, Christmas lunches and longer weekend walking trips to destinations such as Wales, Yorkshire, Dorset and Northern Italy.

The organisation has also been operating a dedicated volunteer Working Party since 1984.

Meeting every Tuesday, the team works to maintain and improve public footpaths and accessibility across the county.

Sally Pearce from West Wilts Ramblers said, “We are always looking for new members of all ages to join us and experience the many benefits of walking and friendship.”

For more information, visit the West Wilts Ramblers’ website at

www.ramblers.org.uk/west-wiltshire or email westwiltsramblers@gmail.com