Stride out in style at St Helena's Walking Festival

Following on from the success of 2008, the remote island of St Helena in the South Atlantic is to host its second Walking Festival. Taking place between 6 and 13 May, locals and walkers from around the world are invited to enjoy the unique landscapes and rich heritage of this fascinating island through a special programme of walks.

Each day there will be walks of varying difficulty and interest, led by informative guides, celebrating the routes that so few people have ever walked. Join other walkers in moonlit strolls from St Paul’s in the island’s lush interior to walking the peaks and pastures of Blue Hill, or follow in the footsteps of Napoleon and traverse the boundary wall of Longwood House - Napoleon’s residence during his much documented exile on the island.

The island’s diverse landscapes make for spectacular, interesting and stimulating walks. From fern forests to the volcanic terrain of Sandy Bay or lush pastures and coastal locations, there is natural beauty at every turn. The week-long programme includes walks for all ages and abilities, there will be activity exercises for the young at the George Benjamin Arboretum or for the intrepid a coastal hike down to Lot’s Wife Ponds could be on the cards.

Pamela Young, St Helena’s Director of Tourism commented; “We are delighted to be staging a second Walking Festival which will provide visitors with a real insight into our island’s rich history. From the Isle of Wight to Scilly, many stunning islands around the world host walking festivals, but the unspoilt and remote nature of St Helena will ensure that it stands out from the crowd appealing to walkers looking for something a little bit different.

“We hope to build on last year’s success and make the 2009 event an even bigger and better celebration of the diversity of walks St Helena has to offer,” Young added.

As well as boasting a truly unique land and seascape, century-old military fortifications and graceful buildings provide the perfect place for active exploration. The castle, gun batteries, stone fortifications and cemeteries, depict tales of St Helena’s fascinating history. Visitors can also head up the 699 steps to conquer iconic Jacobs Ladder embedded into a steep cliff face in the capital, Jamestown.

Another must for walkers are the island’s ‘Post Box Walks,’ – a series of walks covering some of the most scenic and untouched areas of the island. At the end of each walk is a Post Box containing an ink stamp and a 'Visitor's Book'. Stamp your mail at Diana’s Peak National Park, the highest ‘Post Box Walk’ on the island at 823m. A guide book titled ‘A description of the Post Box Walks’ is on sale at the Tourist Office, comprising a map, descriptions for all 21 walks, and a place to collect your stamps for each walk.

St Helena is only accessible by sea and located 1,200 from the nearest land mass, getting to the island is an adventure in itself; a voyage reminiscent of a bygone era. It is one of a handful of islands still only accessible by sea, serviced by the Royal Mail Ship, RMS St Helena. The 128-berth liner is a unique blend of passenger ship and cargo vessel and embarks on this nostalgic journey twice a year from Portland, Dorset. The nature of this unique ship allows for a variety of holiday combinations, from a four-day mini voyage to longer voyages of 13, 22 and 31 days in length.

St Helena Line is offering a Walking Festival Special package:

Prices from: £1423.00 per person departing from Walvis Bay, Namibia on 2nd May. This 17 day tour includes return sea passage on the RMS St Helena inclusive of all meals on board, accommodation in St Helena for 8 nights, 2 full day tours of St Helena and a series of self and guided walks as per the Festival's programme. Passengers can extend the tour via Cape Town for a supplement of from £240.00 per person. Spaces are limited.

Alternatively why not book a St Helena Hideaway Tour Departing 6th June 2009 - 30 June 2009 & 30 June 2009 - 24th July 2009. Prices from: £1891.00 per person based on a T4A deck cabin. Includes return sea passage from Cape Town on board RMS St Helena inclusive of meals and stated activity programme; transfers in St Helena; 8 nights accommodation in St Helena inclusive of breakfast; Guided tour programme on St Helena with local guides; 1 night pre and post voyage accommodation in Cape Town inclusive of breakfast; transfers between Cape Town hotel and port terminal.

For more information and bookings, visit rms-st-helena.com.