The 20^th annual ECHO Walking Festival is proving so popular that several of its guided walks have already sold out.

The two week-long event from April 1-16 has 32 walks in eight areas, including Waihi Beach and Katikati, with some featuring boat rides, kayaking or biking.

One genealogy walk is through a cemetery and for the first time, one walk will be iwi-led.

'It's the walk at Bowentown Heads,” says festival chairperson Vicki Lambert.

'It's very cool and we're excited to have it on the programme. There's not a lot of written Māori history because it's a spoken as a way of passing it down. It's a great chance to hear Reon Tuanau of Te Whānau a Tauwhao. He's a great orator and will share the area's rich cultural history.”

Vicki says one of the most sought-after trips each year is to Tuhua Mayor Island.

'It sells out every year. It's a grade five walk, so one of the more challenging trips and takes a full eight to nine hours. But there's a special treat because it's guided by James Denyer – so you actually get to go on an exclusive walk with the Western Bay of Plenty Mayor.”

The festival hopes to inspire Western Bay of Plenty locals to explore more of their own backyard.

'Every walk is led by experienced guides to be informative – and, in some cases, take you over private land that can't normally be accessed.

'We want to rekindle people's love of getting out into this amazing country,” says Vicki.

'For example, the north head mining tour at Waihi Beach will give an insight into local history. Most people don't realise there's mine shaft that runs out to Treasure Island Reef off the coast of Waihi Beach. It's fascinating.”

Last years' ECHO Walking Festival photography competition winner Phillipa Skellern's image shows obsedian deposits on Tuhua Mayor Island. Photo: Phillipa Skellern.

Vicki says the festival coincides with school holidays for families who'd like to come along.

'Through the Festival, we want to encourage all New Zealanders to enjoy the outdoors, to appreciate the attractions of our region, and to keep fit and active,” says Vicki.

'There's a real diversity in the walks, in terms of length, degree of difficulty and topics, so we really can say that there is something for everyone.”

For more information; visit: echowalkfest.org.nz