YHA Festival of Walking

Families across Derby are being encouraged to swap screen time for the outdoors as YHA’s Festival of Walking returns to the Peak District this autumn.

With children now spending an average of 45 hours a week indoors* - more than a third of it on screens - the festival will bring nine free, family-friendly, guided walks to youth hostels across the Peak District National Park.

Running from Friday 11 September to Sunday 11 October 2026, the local programme includes four women-only walks, with routes designed to help people of all abilities build their confidence in the outdoors.

• YHA Castleton Losehill Hall - Friday 18 September (8km)
• YHA Edale Activity Centre - Saturday 19 September (10km)
• YHA Ilam Hall - Saturday 19 September (Women-only 10km)
• YHA Hartington Hall - Sunday 20 September (Women-only Hills Skills)
• YHA Hartington Hall - Saturday 26 September (Women-only 9km)
• YHA Ilam Hall - Saturday 26 September (10.2km)
• YHA Castleton Losehill Hall - Sunday 4 October (10.7km)
• YHA Ilam Hall - Wednesday 7 October (6.4km)
• YHA Ilam Hall - Sunday 10 October (Women-only 10.2km)

In addition to the Peak District, the Festival spans locations from Penzance to Berwick-upon-Tweed, and from Canterbury to Keswick. It also includes urban starting points such as London, Bristol and Manchester, alongside rural destinations in the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Eryri (Snowdonia).

 “The free, child-friendly guided walks are a practical way for families to build confidence in the outdoors while introducing younger people to nature,” explained Andrew McCoy, Programme Manager for the YHA Festival of Walking. “They create space to step away from screens, spend time outside together and form a genuine connection with the natural environment. For many, that first experience can be the start of a lasting interest in walking that continues into adulthood.”

 Under the theme of “confidence, connection, belonging”, the festival offers a free programme of up to 60 organised group walks. As well as family-friendly trails, there are also beginner navigation sessions, women-only walk, Nordic walking tasters, and mindfulness walks, as well as routes focused on wildlife, canals and heritage.

 Many of the social walks are designed specifically to build confidence in those new to walking, with inclusive options for families with young children and women-only groups also included in the line-up. All guided walks are circular, starting from a youth hostel and ending there with a free ‘cuppa and cake’ for participants.

 The guided events are delivered in partnership with organisations including the National Trust, local Ramblers groups, the Canal & River Trust, Outdoor Adventure Girls and qualified Nordic walking instructors.

Pre-booking is essential. Further details of all walks and booking can be found at yha.org.uk/festival-of-walking/east-midlands