WIDECOMBE-IN-THE-MOOR is the starting point for one of a series of rambles highlighted during a month-long rambling festival.

The Ramblers will be getting the south west on its feet this month with Walk About, the biggest free nationwide walking event.

The festival takes place from tomorrow to Sunday, September 11 with more than 1,000 walks all over Britain and 150 in the south west. 

Ahead of the festival itself, registered charity The Ramblers has launched a free online tracker allowing people to log their walking activity.

During the festival there will be a series of group-led walks.

For those who prefer to walk alone or lead their own groups, The Ramblers has picked favourite routes.

Among those is Bowerman’s Nose.

Starting from the village green at Widecombe-in-the-Moor, it takes walkers on a 10-mile route over open, gently undulating moorland, including a stretch of the Two Moors Way as well as pastures and country lanes with a few steep ascents.

It is described as moderately difficult and should take five-and-a-half hours.

The route, which can be found at www.ramblers.org.uk/bowerman also passes prehistoric hut circles, menhirs and stone rows.

The Ramblers director of walking development, Simon Barnett, said: ‘We all know walking can do wonders for our wellbeing, which is why we want to get the nation on its feet with our biggest free walking festival to date.

‘Walking is good for our health and our minds and we want everyone to be able to experience the many benefits and joys it can bring.

‘But we want to encourage people to get more active in advance of the festival, which is why we’ve introduced our new online tracker, which allows people to log all their walking activity and monitor their progress.

‘It’s a great way to build up activity levels, which means that by the time the festival comes around people will be able to step out on a longer walk.’ 

Anyone can take part by visiting www.Ramblers.org.uk/walkabout and starting to log their walking trips.  

Walk About is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Clara Govier, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: ‘We are delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are able to support The Ramblers with their exciting new walking festival, which we know will help thousands of people discover the joys of walking.’

The Ramblers charity is dedicated to looking after paths and green spaces, leading walks and opening new routes as well as encouraging people to discover how walking boosts health.