THE COLD crisp days of winter are a magical time to go walking, with transformed scenery and spectacular early sunsets.

Getting out into the great outdoors is a wonderful way to escape the demands of the festive season for a few hours too and the Ramblers’ annual Festival of Winter Walks is back, from December 23 to January 7, with a selection of free walks across the West Midlands to help with some winter walking inspiration.

There are a good selection in the Worcester area starting on Saturday December 23 in Martley up to Friday January 5 at the Old Hills, Callow End.

The Festival of Winter Walks, supported this year by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, has been running for over 25 years - so the Ramblers know a thing or two about the joys of getting out and about in the colder weather.

From short, festive-themed strolls topped off with a sociable drink to more strenuous stretches to help boost your energy levels, there’s a walk to suit everyone.

Chief executive of the Ramblers Vanessa Griffiths said: “Winter is a wonderful time to get outdoors and enjoy your surroundings in the fresh air, but it can drop to the bottom of the list among all the competing demands of the holidays. Our Festival of Winter Walks offers an easy way to head out for a winter wander with friends and family.

“And if you feel like you’ve over indulged on turkey and mince pies, it’s a great way to help you kick start those New Year fitness resolutions too.

“If you need a little help in staying motivated, we’ve got just the thing. Sign up to our free online tracker, which allows you to log your walking activity and monitor your progress – a great way to make sure you keep walking.”

All group walks during the Festival of Winter Walks are free to attend, but if anyone is inspired to keep walking, they can join the Ramblers. Membership gives people access to hundreds of group walks every year, an online library of over 2,500 Ramblers Routes, as well as many other benefits.

Vanessa added: “A foray out into the cold, fresh air is the perfect winter mood enhancer. And with such a diverse range of walks on offers, what starts out as a one-off Christmas or New Year walk could lead to life-long friendships and a serious walking habit.”

During the festival people can visit www.ramblers.org.uk/winter for details of hundreds of free group walks taking place across the country.

The Worcestershire walks include:

1. Martley Church and Ponds, Saturday December 23 at 10am. Six miles, moderate. A circular pre-Christmas ramble from The Cob House to Martley via a pool and Great Hopehouse Coppice, past the Church and St Peters meadow at Martley before returning to the cob house via Highfields. (Worcester Ramblers)

Meet at the Cob House (WR6 6YE)

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3939930

2. Herefordshire Beacon, Wednesday December 27 at 10am. Five miles, easy. Blow away the Christmas cobwebs as you climb the Herefordshire Beacon and visit the Eastnor Estate at the southern end of The Malverns with the Leadon Vale Ramblers. Later, you can put the calories back on at The Malvern Hills Hotel.

Meet at British Camp car park (WR13 6DW).

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3941590

3. Ravenshill Woodland and Suckley Hills, Friday December 29 at 10am. Eight miles, moderate. A lovely post-Christmas wander through woodland and rolling green fields with the Worcester Ramblers. Meet at Ravenshill Nature Reserve (WR6 5QP).

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3939962

4. Top of Bredon Hill, Tuesday January 2 2018 at 10am. Five and a half miles, leisurely. A leisurely walk from Elmley Castle with the Evesham Ramblers. Climb up to the tower at the top of the hill, descend via Hill Lane then continue along footpaths and quiet roads to the start. A great walk to start the New Year.

Meet near the Queen’s Head in Elmley Castle (WR10 3HS).

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3938720

5. Worcester to Grimley, Wednesday January 3 2018 at 10am. Six miles, leisurely. Start the New Year by joining the Worcester Ramblers for a leisurely stroll up the west bank of the River Severn to the Camp Inn at Grimley, where you can enjoy a drink, followed by the option of an excursion to Bevere lock, before returning to Worcester along the same route.

Meet at Sabina Bridge, Pitchcroft Side, Grand Stand Road (WR1 3EJ)

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3939968

6. Old Hills Callow End, Friday January 5 2018 at 10am. Six miles, moderate. A short easy walk at a steady pace on local paths and bridleways. Starting at Old Hills to admire the views of the wintry Malverns you will then head over fields and through woodland to Madresfield for coffee and snack break, before returning via Deblin's Green joining the Three Choirs Way and Bush Lane.

Meet at The Old Hills Car Park (WR2 4TQ)

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3940729

Walking regularly can help you stay healthy and live longer, keep happy, enjoy time with friends and family, learn more about your local area, meet other people, make new friends and look after the environment. And almost everyone can do it, anywhere and at any time, for free.

The Ramblers works to promote walking for pleasure, health, leisure and transport to everyone, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, in towns and cities as well as in the countryside.

It wants England to be a place where people choose to go walking, contributing to their health and well-being and supporting a more sustainable way of life.

It offers practical support to get people walking, and to sustain and increase the amount of walking they do.

The charity works to promote walking for pleasure, health, leisure and transport to everyone, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, in towns and cities as well as in the countryside. It wants England to be a place where people choose to go walking, contributing to their health and well-being and supporting a more sustainable way of life.

The Ramblers offers practical support to get people walking, and to sustain and increase the amount of walking they do.