Greater Manchester is again putting its best foot forward with the region’s second annual Walking Festival taking place throughout May.
The festival, which runs from Sunday 1 to Tuesday 31 May, has doubled in size, this year offering more than 200 free guided walks exploring local towns, cities, countryside, canals, riversides and parks across Greater Manchester.
The walks are coordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and are supported by around 30 walking groups and charities, showcasing all the region has to offer.
There will be expert-led walks covering interests including wildlife, history, music and much more. While enjoying a walk, people taking part could also learn how to forage for food and listen out for bats or get tips on taking a great photo – and there’s even the chance to give Nordic walking a go.
There are 25 walks in Salford throughout May, including a ‘bat walk’ along the Bridgewater Canal with Salford City Council, Tiny Tots rambles with the Salford Ranger team, and a walk along the Salford Trail with Manchester and Salford Ramblers, who are also leading an evening walk in the Pendlebury area. The full list of walks is at the Greater Manchester Walking Festival website.
Ben Dolan, Strategic Director for Environment and Community Safety, Salford Rangers, said: “The Walking Festival is a great opportunity to showcase Salford’s parks and green open spaces and encourage people to explore them.
“We have a number of ranger-led walks so people can come and explore new areas with confidence and hope that people will continue putting their best foot forward and exploring Salford after the festival is finished.”
The festival is a really good way to motivate people in spring, promote other activities we offer and encourage people to visit their local green space again and again”
The festival aims to get as many people as possible across Greater Manchester to find out how easy – and enjoyable – walking more can be. The walks, which cater for a variety of abilities and ages, provide the chance to explore Greater Manchester, meet new people and get more active.
Helen Ramsden, Head of Travel Choices and Active Travel for TfGM, said: “I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to run the festival again following the success of last year. This year it’s bigger and better and we want to get even more people involved.
“We owe a huge thank you to all our walking partners and walk leaders, many of whom are voluntary, who run all the walks and make this festival possible.
“We hope that by encouraging people to join a local walk that they will be inspired to continue walking regularly after the festival has ended.”
“People are often surprised that walking briskly for just 20-25 minutes a day can add up to seven years to your life – it really is that simple”
In addition, in 2016 TfGM will be keeping the momentum going with ‘Walking Weekends’, offering more free guided walks, held over a series of weekends throughout the summer and autumn months as well as engaging with businesses through the ‘Walking Workplaces’ project, which works with businesses to encourage walking in work and during the working day.
Funded by the Department of Transport, the Greater Manchester Walking Festival is part of TfGM’s Walking Works project, encouraging people to make a walk part of their daily routine.
To find out what’s happening in each area, visit www.tfgm.com/walking where there is an online copy of the festival brochure containing all the walks. Copies of the brochure are also available in TfGM Travel shops and various other outlets across Greater Manchester. Or you can order a copy from: walking.works@tfgm.com.
On social media, check out the GM Walking Festival Facebook page or search for the #GMWalkFest hashtag on Twitter.
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