WALKERS are being urged to put their best feet forward for a popular part of the annual Keswick Mountain Festival.

The ‘Hike’ programme will be once again go ahead at the four-day celebration of the fells, held from May 15 to 18, and will include 34 guided walks, with something for all ages, abilities and levels of fitness.

Clearly graded from ‘easy’ to ‘very hard’, the walks on the ‘Hike’ programme will take festival-goers to many of the most famous and dramatic fells and valleys in the Lake District, such as Skiddaw, Catbells, Blencathra, Helvellyn, Borrowdale and Scafell Pike.

In addition, this year’s programme will include the brand new 'Wainwright Walks', which will provide walkers with an opportunity to tackle 40 Wainwrights over four days.

“Our Hike programme has always been very popular and a highlight for many visitors,” said Lucy Scrase, Keswick Mountain Festival director.

“With the help of our partners, we have put together a big selection of guided walks that we believe makes the most of the wonderful landscape around Keswick and gives every visitor an incentive to put on their hiking kit and go exploring.

“Wainwright Walks is new for this year and I am sure that it will appeal to many people who want to visit some of the tops that the great man wrote about.”

The festival as a whole will also include sporting events, live music, high profile speakers, outdoor activities and other attractions.

‘Festival Village’ will be located in Crow Park.

It will be open from May 16 to 18 and will be free to enter until 6pm.

For more details visit www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk or call 01539 760175.