Steve Ball returns to the Viking Way - 50 years after helping launch it
Fifty years is a long time for any walking route, but for Steve Ball, the Viking Way isn’t just a line on a map. He was one of the people who helped mark its opening back in 1976, when he and a group from Scunthorpe and District Ramblers set out to walk sections of the brand‑new trail on its very first day.
Steve was 17 then, and he’s 67 now. Still walking and very much as cheerful about still being connected to the route in a way only someone who was there at the start can really be.
He said: “In 1976, I was a member of Scunthorpe and District Ramblers. We organised a walk to cover the Viking Way from Cherry Willingham to Caistor. I got on the bus, headed out on the day and off we went.” Two groups set off in opposite directions, one from Ferriby heading towards Barnetby, the other from Caistor walking back the same way.
“There were probably about 20 of us altogether,” Steve added. “A sizeable group.”
The original idea for that first day came from the Ramblers’ area office, who asked whether members could help mark the opening by covering the full length in stages on the same day. “It was just going to be another long-distance walk,” Steve said. “Except it was in our county, so that made it special.”
Back on the Viking Way
Steve still walks, mostly with his wife Mary. “We usually walk on our own,” he said. “Not with a group very often.” And yes, he’s gone back to that original stretch. “I did that route again a couple of years back,” he said. “Caught the bus, did Ferriby to Barnetby, and got the bus home. Back on the bus again.”
He laughs at that. “Now with the bus pass, it’s even cheaper.”
Seeing the Viking Way at 50
At Woodhall Spa, Steve stood beside the new Viking‑themed bench carved for the anniversary. He took his time looking at it. “The bench is absolutely stunning,” he said. “Really is a work of art. There’s a lot of skill gone into the making of this.”
He’s right and with four more benches still to come, each one different, the Viking Way’s 50th year is shaping up to be something memorable. The route has also been featured on BBC Countryfile, giving a national audience a glimpse of the landscapes Steve first walked half a century ago.
And with the 50 years under its belt, the Viking Way is getting more use now than ever before. Loads of families, individual walkers and every type of rambler inbetween are out in force. People are still out there using it. “I’ve seen plenty walking today,” Steve said. “Dog walkers, families… people just out in the countryside all using the Viking Way. It’s brilliant.”
A milestone worth marking
The Viking Way has changed since 1976. It now starts at the Viking Café near the Humber Bridge, and improvements over the years have made it safer and easier to use. “It’s waymarked better than it used to be,” Steve added. “And it’s looked after better than it used to be. For instance, crossing the A46 is much safer now. That’s benefitted the area a lot.”
He’s proud of what the route has become and the final words are left to Steve as one of the original Viking Way walkers: “This is a great legacy for Lincolnshire and a really valuable thing for us all to have.
"Get out there and use it, the Viking Way is brilliant to walk along and learn more about our excellent county.”