OutdoorXpo names The Ramblers to headline Hiking section at NEC Birmingham, March 20–21, 2027

# What happened OutdoorXpo has appointed The Ramblers, Britain's walking charity, to headline the festival's Hiking section. The event takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 20–21 March 2027. Organisers describe OutdoorXpo as a multi-zone festival for outdoor pursuits including hiking, climbing, camping and bushcraft, trail running, cycling, water sports, adventure travel and family activities.

# What the Ramblers will do at the show Hiking zone is framed as a hands-on space for people at every level. The program will include personal stories, practical workshops and live conversations that cover gentle weekend walks through to technical long-distance trails. The zone will also provide practical services such as boot fitting, gear testing and outdoor survival-skills sessions.

Rhiane Fatinikun MBE, founder of Black Girls Hike, will champion the Hiking section for 2027. The Ramblers' volunteer network currently runs over 90,000 walks each year, and the charity's staff and volunteers work to improve paths and protect walking access.

# Campaigning and advocacy presence The Ramblers plan to use the festival platform to surface their ongoing campaigning work. The charity is currently running an Access Denied campaign that pushes for better political and financial support for the path network. The campaign aims to remove physical and geographic barriers to outdoor access and to shift government treatment of outdoor access toward being a basic right. The Ramblers also pursue legal cases and local repairs to keep paths open and usable.

# Why this matters to visitors Visitors get practical value: skill-focused sessions, gear trials and direct contact with the charity that manages route upkeep and access issues. For people who want to start walking, or who need advice on longer treks and kit, the zone is positioned as a place to ask questions and try equipment in a practical setting.

For walkers who care about public access and path maintenance, the show provides a chance to learn about the Ramblers' campaigns, sign up for local groups and find volunteer or advocacy opportunities.

# How the Hiking section fits the festival OutdoorXpo is structured as eight specialist zones run by practitioners: hiking, climbing, camping and bushcraft, water, trail running, cycling, adventure travel and family activities. The intent is to bring together industry, community groups and participants for skill-building, networking and discovery.

# Practical details

Tickets: Day and weekend passes are available (sold through OutdoorXpo channels)

# Bottom line If you plan to attend OutdoorXpo for hiking-specific content, the Ramblers' presence means a mix of practical instruction, kit testing and advocacy visibility. The festival offers both beginner-friendly programming and ways to connect with local walking groups and national campaigning work.