WHETHER it's walking through secret gardens, a stroll along Glyndwr’s Way or a hike to the heart of an ancient volcano, there is set to be something for everybody in the fifth Kington Walking Festival.

The festival which takes place from September 15 to 18 will this year include over 40 guided walks plus The Eight Peaks Challenge, a popular self-led challenge for walkers and runners alike.

While the huge variety of walks are the main features of the weekend, there will also be talks, an exhibition, and a John Jones and The Reluctant Ramblers gig.

The festival will open with a goulash evening on September 15 at 6pm at the Market Hall, which will provide a chance for walkers, walk leaders and organisers and sponsors to meet.

Brand new for this season there will be an exhibition on the drovers and their effect and influence on Kington and the surrounding area over so many years, at Kington Museum.

A Nordic walking session will take place from the Recreation Ground in Kington on September 15 at 10.30am.

It will give people the chance to learn the specific technique of Nordic walking with Zoe Hooper, a British Nordic walking qualified instructor.

It is suitable for all ages, abilities and fitness levels and specialist poles will be provided. Nordic Walking burns 46 per cent more calories than regular walking, exercises over 90 per cent of your skeletal muscles and puts less strain on your body and joints than regular walking.

The cost is £3.

Kevin Walker of Mountain Activities will be running a workshop on safety in the hills on September 16 at 2pm in Markwick Hall, Kington. This will cover how to plan and look after yourself and your fellow walkers whilst in remote areas. The cost of the workshop is £5.

Later that day Keith Ray will be discussing the archaeology of the excavations of Dorstone Hill at the Burton Hotel also on at 7.30pm.

John Jones and the Reluctant Ramblers will be playing at the Burton Hotel on Saturday, September 17 at 8pm.

John Jones, the charismatic lead singer of the Oysterband is walking 100 miles of the Marches over 10 days in aid of Macmillan Cancer and playing music each evening where he finishes.

The final day of his 100 miles walk will be at Kington walks and his final gig will be at the Burton Hotel. Tickets are £15.

Finally there will be a photography walk led by local landscape photographer and teacher, Jane Hough on September 18 at 10am. The session will look at how to improve your pictures, how to make full use of your camera controls and finding the best photographic opportunities.

For more information about Kington Walking Festival visit www.kingwalks.org.