Kildare Residents Encouraged To Avail Of Free Walks This September

It allows people to walk in groups and at their own pace, staying active as the winter months approach.

Kildare people are being encouraged to avail of a number of free walks this September.

A free month-long festival this September is featuring Saturday hill walks for beginner and advanced routes led by the Hill Dara Hikers, as well as autism-friendly walks.

STEPTEMBER, in association with Kildare County Council and Kildare Sports Partnership was launched towards the end of the COVID-19 restrictions.

It allows people to walk in groups and at their own pace, staying active as the winter months approach.

The beginner hill walks take place on 5 September at Glen of Imaal Loop, 12 September at Derrybawn Loop, 19 September at Sorrell Hill Loop and 26 September at Barravore Valley Loop.

The advanced hill walks take place on on 5 September at Table Mountain, 12 September at Camaderry Loop, 19 September at Black Hill Loop and 26 September at Lugnaquilla Loop.

While the autism-friendly walks take place on 4 September at the Curragh Racecourse, 11 September at Donadea Forest Park, 18 September at Kerdiffstown Park and 25 September at Moore Abbey Woods, Monasterevin.

Speaking on Kildare Today, sports development officer with Kildare Sports Partnership, John Doran said everybody is welcome to walk, regardless of their level:

"The feedback every year is huge, we always say that no one is taxed more than they should be with the walks.

"For people who are apprehensive, we give a window of four hours for beginners to travel about 10km and keep the gradient down to a couple of hundred metres, so you wouldn't really notice it."

The addition of autism-friendly walks makes the month even more inclusive, as part of the Autism Friendly Towns initiative.

"We've decided on the Friday nights before each Saturday walk, with the view to people with autism and their family, friends and carers coming to walk, they can have a chat, network and hopefully in the future might form an autism-friendly walking group.

"At the same time, they can go out and enjoy the great outdoors in a safe environment."

For more information, visit the Kildare Sports Partnership social media pages, or email "johndoran@countykildarelp.ie".

The full interview can be heard below: