Funding boost of £4,000 will help develop popular Peak District walking route

The grant, from the South West Peak Landscape Partnership and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will enable the Friends of the Peak District to work with local residents, community groups and businesses to raise awareness of the boundary w alk and the benefits it brings.

The Peak District Boundary Walk is a 200-mile route around the edge of the national park.

Five of the 20 stages of the w alk are in the South West Peak region, stretching from Waterfall to Buxton via Tittesworth Reservoir, Wildboarclough, Bollington and Whaley Bridge. Friends of the Peak District developed the boundary w alk to encourage people to understand and appreciate the outstanding natural beauty of the Peak District National Park and inspire them to cherish and protect it. Since the launch of the boundary w alk in 2017 it has been warmly welcomed by walkers.

The group will engage with local residents and community groups to encourage them to explore the boundary walk and enjoy and appreciate their local countryside. The friends will also connect with local businesses along the route to help them benefit from welcoming walkers to the area.

In addition, the project will provide volunteering opportunities for people in the region to get together and gain new skills.

Volunteers will help the f riends to monitor and maintain the route and become local ambassadors for the walk.

Julie Gough, friends fundraising and marketing co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted to be able to develop the Peak District Boundary Walk in the South West Peak.

“We hope that by getting involved with the project, residents and businesses in the region will feel more connected to the walk and its diverse and unique landscape, and ultimately with their local countryside – learning about it, caring about it and helping to protect it.”

The group is keen to hear from anyone who would like to get involved. Email [email protected].

To find out more about the Peak District Boundary Walk, visit www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk/boundary-walk.