Free Autumn Footprints walks return to Amber Valley
Rivers, canals, open countryside and Derbyshire’s former industrial landscapes will form the setting for the Autumn Footprints Walking Festival this September. The free festival runs from Saturday 12 September to Sunday 27 September 2026, beginning at 14:45, with activities held at various locations across Amber Valley.
The programme is intended for people of all abilities, including novice and experienced walkers, families and groups. Every walk is free, but advance booking is essential. Individual walk descriptions will explain how to reserve a place, while parking charges may apply at some locations.
Sixteen days of guided walks and local talks
Autumn Footprints combines guided walks with informative talks over 16 days. Knowledgeable local volunteers and staff will lead participants through routes chosen to reveal different aspects of Amber Valley’s heritage, natural history and wildlife.
The landscapes covered by the programme are varied. Some walks follow rivers and canals, while others cross open countryside or pass through towns and villages. Together, the routes provide a closer look at the area’s autumn scenery, undulating terrain, industrial heritage and local settlements.
That range makes the festival relevant to walkers with different interests rather than only those seeking a countryside hike. A route may focus on wildlife or natural history, while another may draw attention to built heritage or the relationship between waterways, communities and the surrounding landscape.
Who the Amber Valley festival is for
The festival is described as suitable for everyone of all abilities. It is also listed as family-friendly and group-friendly, giving households and organised groups an opportunity to consider the programme alongside individual walkers.
Prospective visitors should still use each walk description to decide which activity fits their needs. The supplied event information does not provide one universal route length, difficulty rating or meeting point because walks take place at different locations throughout Amber Valley. Those details should therefore be checked for the particular walk being booked.
Booking is required despite free admission
There is no charge to join the guided walks, but a place must be booked in advance. According to Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Events, booking instructions will appear within each individual walk description rather than through one set of directions covering the entire festival.
The various-location format also means participants need to confirm the meeting place for their chosen activity. No festival-wide transport instructions or venue-specific accessibility arrangements are included in the supplied details. Some individual walks may involve a parking charge, indicated by the symbols attached to their listings.
Anyone planning to attend should first select a walk from the programme, read its description for the relevant booking method and check the location information and parking symbols before travelling.
Source: Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Events
Context & actions About this article
Source check Source trail
The dates, Amber Valley locations, free admission and compulsory booking requirement were checked against the published event listing.
- Confirmed the festival runs from 12 to 27 September 2026.
- Confirmed activities take place at various locations in Amber Valley.
- Confirmed all walks are free but must be booked.
- Confirmed parking charges may apply to individual walks.
- Source
- Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Events
- Scope
- Amber Valley
- Updated
- 2026-09-07 17:26
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