The Sperrins 12th Walking Festival was officially launched this month by BBC Television Presenter, Darryl Grimason, presenter of the recent Blueprint Series, Off the Beaten Track.

The launch took place at An Creagán Visitor Centre, which will act as the festival base this year for the Walking Festival.

Daryl said "The Sperrins are an incredibly beautiful mountain range, but a largely undiscovered landscape. The Festival is the perfect opportunity to get off the beaten track and get to know the Sperrins wilderness."

The Sperrins Walking Festival will take place in the first weekend in August, 1st - 3rd August 2008. There are walks planned for all abilities, from serious hill-walkers with moderate and challenging walks, to those out for a family stroll, a range of family walks. This event provides a fantastic introduction to the region's beauty and unspoilt nature, flora and fauna, archaeology and culture and heritage, all against the magnificent backdrop of the Sperrin Mountains, whilst in the company of expert guides and fellow walking enthusiasts. Equally important is a range of social events taking place on both Friday and Saturday evenings, which will allow walkers to relax and unwind and enjoy the unrivalled hospitality of the Sperrins.

Over the past eleven years the festival has proved increasingly popular, we are hoping that 2088 will be the most successful festival yet!

The Sperrins

The rugged countryside of the Sperrins region is some of the most beautiful in Ireland. The region, officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, comprises the largest and least explored mountain range in the country. With a blend of rolling hills, forests, woodlands, river trails, upland moors and scenic valleys this is the perfect destination for walkers who want to get away from it all.

Programme

Each day will have a family walk , and on Saturday and Sunday there will be a moderate hill walk and a challenging hill walk. These will take in a range of routes and highlight the natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains and region. In the evenings there will be every opportunity to enjoy a good nights craic with musical entertainment at the An Creagán Visitor Centre.

A full programme of walks, events and activities is available now.

For all festival information, booking forms and registration times and more on walking in the Sperrins visit www.sperrinstourism.com or telephone: 028 8674 7700

Festival Sponsors

The 2008 Sperrins Walking Festival is being supported by the following organisations: Sperrins Tourism Limited, Omagh District Council, Strabane District Council, Sportique Sports Shop in association with North Face, Magherafelt, An Creagán Visitor Centre, Cotswold Outdoor, Rocwell Water and Forest Service NI.

Festival Base

This year the festival base will be centred around the An Creagán Visitor Centre, Creggan, Omagh. On site there are a range of walks, 8 self-catering cottages, restaurant, bar, interpretative exhibition on the archaeology of the area, as well as a craft shop. There is also as a wide range of other accommodation in the surrounding Sperrins area. Log onto: www.sperrinstourism.com for full information.