Walking festival to return with extra routes

The festival is due to take place between 13 and 28 September

An annual Derbyshire walking festival launched 23 years ago is to return with an expanded range of routes.

The Autumn Footprints Walking Festival is due to take place between 13 and 28 September with 24 guided walks that explore the "beauty and history" of Amber Valley.

Ranging between one and ten miles, the walks take people along the borough's rivers and canals, open countryside, towns and villages where participants will learn about the local heritage, natural history and wildlife of each area.

The event, a collaboration between Amber Valley Borough Council and regional charity Groundwork Five Counties, has been taking place since 2002.

Guides take people on different walks across Amber Valley

Event co-ordinator Marion Farrell, from Groundwork, said more than 250 people took part in 16 walks during last year's event.

"We've got 24 walks this year with a mixture of very easy walks, longer walks and a mix of natural history and wildlife and local history walks. So something for everyone, hopefully," she said.

She added there were lots of different walks that show off the "stunning area" of Amber Valley, including wildlife such as Kingfishers and Woodpeckers.

"I like the Black Rocks walk and the High Peak Trail because you have fantastic views across the Derwent Valley," said Ms Farrell.

"Amber Valley is really a very stunning area and sometimes gets overlooked. People often rush up to the High Peak or Peak District and sort of miss out Amber Valley."