You’re never too young to learn to love a walk in the countryside – and there’s plenty of healthy fun in store for little legs at this year’s KM Charity Walk.

Under-16s get in free if booked in advance – and there’s a choice of two routes, so families can opt for the five-mile stroll rather than the ten-mile route. Dogs are welcome too, as long as they are on leads.

And the kids won’t get bored, as Kent Wildlife Trust are providing a scavenger hunt to keep them busy, with a list of things to collect and look out for during the walk. Back at the finish line, children can take their findings to the Trust’s stand and create nature art to put on display.

Participants can relax after the walk at a summer fayre where food and drink will be available for purchase including a barbecue and stalls hosted by Simply Ice Cream, Homemade With Love Cakes, and Priscilla the Pimms Pod. Live music will be provided by Kent band Acoustic Tones.

The event takes place on Sunday, June 24, and both routes start and end at Grade II listed Georgian mansion Mote House in Maidstone’s Mote Park. Every walker will receive a goody bag and medal on completion of the walk.

Organiser Sophie Wallace, from the KM Charity Team, said: “The walk is always particularly popular with families as it’s such a lovely day out – a chance to enjoy the countryside together and discover its treasures through the nature trail.

“There is no minimum age for taking part. Five miles really isn’t far, and we often see parents carrying small children and babies all or part of the way. Last year our youngest ‘walker’ was six months old!

“Kids enjoy creating their works of art after the walk too, and thanks to the barbecue you won’t have to cook their lunch!”

The five-mile route goes through Downswood, round to Otham and back, while the ten-mile option passes through the village of Leeds and skirts the grounds of Leeds Castle before returning through Broomfield and Langley Heath. Both routes are fairly flat and suitable for most people with a reasonable level of fitness.

Walkers can raise sponsorship for any charity of their choice and individuals raising £200 or more will go into a prize draw to win two Eurostar tickets.

The KM Charity Walk is supported by Berry Gardens, Glosrose Engineering, Jarmans Solicitors, Maidstone Ramblers, Kent Wildlife Trust, and the Woodstove Trading Company.

To book, visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/booking and use the discount code KMNEWS18.