Lincolnshire walkers invited to share Viking Way memories as famous trail turns 50

People across Lincolnshire are being invited to look back on half a century of walks along the Viking Way, with stories and photographs now being collected to mark the route's 50th anniversary. The long-distance footpath is one of the county's best-known walking routes, linking communities and landscapes across Lincolnshire. For many residents, it has been part of family outings, personal challenges and quieter moments spent exploring the countryside over the years. Now, as the trail reaches its 50-year milestone, organisers are asking walkers past and present to send in memories from their time on the path. That could include old photographs, recollections of favourite stretches, or stories from memorable days out along the route. The appeal is likely to strike a chord with people in Lincolnshire who have used the Viking Way in different ways over the decades. Some will remember tackling longer sections with walking groups, while others may have enjoyed shorter local stretches close to home. The route has long offered a way to experience the county's varied scenery on foot, from open countryside to villages and market town connections. Anniversary projects like this often become a record not just of a path, but of the people who have used it. In Lincolnshire, where local landscapes are deeply tied to community life, the Viking Way has become more than a marked trail on a map. It has been a backdrop for weekend rambles, conversations between generations and a changing picture of how people enjoy the outdoors. By gathering stories and images from the past 50 years, organisers hope to build a fuller picture of the route's place in county life. Personal memories can help show how walking habits, outdoor leisure and local connections have evolved, while also celebrating the enduring appeal of one of Lincolnshire's standout footpaths. For readers in Lincolnshire, the invitation is also a reminder of the value of the county's walking network and the role it plays in bringing people closer to the places where they live. Whether someone completed major sections years ago or simply has a treasured snapshot from a day on the trail, their contribution could help tell the wider story of the Viking Way. Anyone with stories or photos from walks along the route over the past five decades can now submit them as part of the anniversary commemorations. As the Viking Way reaches 50 years, the search is on for the memories that have shaped one of Lincolnshire's most familiar and well-loved routes.

This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.