Coillte forests open for National Walking Day

PEOPLE in Wicklow are being encouraged to take part in National Walking Day on Sunday, September 27 and visit one of their local Coillte forests.

National Walking Day aims to inspire people to get out and walk in their local areas due to the physical and mental wellbeing benefits associated with walking.

An initiative of Get Ireland Walking, it is supported by Sport Ireland and takes place as part of the European Week of Sport.

The agency said it was delighted to be involved and to support this annual event by encouraging the public, regardless of age or ability, to get active and stay local. Wicklow has 17 Coillte recreation forests and 1 forest park which are open to the public.

Charlie Burke, Recreation Officer with Coillte and co-ordinator of Coillte’s Woodlands for Health campaign said:

‘Coillte is proud to be Ireland’s leading provider of outdoor recreation activities, with more than 3,000 kilometers of trails, 260 recreation sites and 12 forest parks across the country.

‘We know about the importance of walking in nature to members of the public and the benefits for both physical and mental health. Our forests offer a space where people can walk safely while maintaining social distancing and abiding by COVID19 guidelines. Coillte wants to encourage local residents in County Wicklow to take some time out of their day and enjoy their local landscape by participating in National Walking Day on September 27 and visiting one of your local Coillte forests, like Avondale forest park or the Devil’s Glen recreation forest.’