Otley's streets will echo to the sound of hundreds of sturdy boots this weekend as the 2009 Walking Festival gets under way.

This year’s nine-day event will be launched at the Buttercross on Saturday and features its biggest ever line-up of walks and activities.

Everything from treks to haunted halls to Red Kite searches will be featured in the festival, which has a wide range of routes for walkers of all ages and abilities.

The first walk, a moderate, eight-mile circular route called Up and Over the Chevin, will start from the Buttercross at 10am on Saturday.

Festival chairman Ruth Blackwell said: “This is the biggest programme since we started as a one-off millennium event in 2000.

“It’s a really varied programme with something for everyone. Along with old favourites, like Haunted Dob Hall, there are lots of new themed walks. It says a lot for the reputation of Otley Walking Festival that each year we get new leaders keen to offer their favourite walks and to give their time voluntarily.

“The festival’s success is really down to the great team of volunteers.

“There are walks for all ages and abilities including short, town-based walks, waterside walks and strenuous, moorland hikes.”

A Bat Talk and Walk starts at the Civic Centre at 8.30pm on Monday. A talk and slideshow will be followed by a gentle, 1.5- mile bat-spotting walk along the riverside. Anyone taking part should bring warm clothing and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Classed as hard, an 18-mile, eight-hour trek from Bolton Abbey to Otley – that takes in Beamsley Beacon and offers superb views – has been organised for walkers seeking a challenge. Anyone interested in taking part should meet festival treasurer Stuart Fildes at Otley Bus Station at 10.10am on Sunday, June 28 to catch the 800 bus to Bolton Abbey.

Other walks focus around local geology, herbs, insects, birds and reservoirs, while ale enthusiasts should enjoy The Inns and Outs of Otley. Led by Ian Andrew of Otley Conservation Task Force, the four-mile, easy circular walk will look at the town’s past and present pubs. It sets off from the Jubilee Clock, in Market Square, at 7pm on Saturday.

Peter Corkhill, of Otley’s Walkers are Welcome group, said: “There are strong economic, health, community and environ-mental arguments for promoting walking.

“Accommodation in Otley is full for most of the walking festival and people do come to our festival from all over the country – last year we had a large group from the Isle of Wight who stayed for a week.

“I know of a number of people who have joined Otley Walkers having first tried a few festival walks and found it to be an activity they really enjoyed.

“We all know that walking is superb exercise and the festival really does promote this. It also creates a socially healthy environment where friendships form and thrive.

“Walking, of course, leaves lots of footprints but has a very low carbon footprint compared to many other other leisure activities.

“And the festival has a number of walks which will be accessed using local buses. It also has walks and activities that give a real insight into the town and countryside environment, for example geology walks, an allotment walk, a herb walk and a dawn chorus walk – so participants should be able to raise their awareness of and interest in the environment and its protection.”

The festival will wind up with two events. The traditional Festival Frolic dance and buffet at Grove Hill Club on Saturday, July 4. The evening runs from 7.30pm to late and booking is essential – call 01943 465270.

On Sunday, July 5, the Grand Finale and prize raffle will be held at the Manor pub from 3.30pm.

Festival programmes are available from Otley Civic Centre, Otley Courthouse, local libraries and Tourist Information Centres, and local businesses. The programme can also be accessed on the website at www.

chevintrek.co.uk.