Greater Manchester is being encouraged to put its best foot forward when the region’s first ever Walking Festival sets off next month.
The festival, which was coordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and will occur throughout May, brings together more than 100 free guided walks to explore local towns, cities, countryside, canals, riversides and parks across the area.
A wide variety of free, themed walks will be led by experts, with the chance to learn more about local wildlife, history and tree heritage – and how to forage for food, listen out for bats, and get tips on taking a great photo.
Helen Ramsden, Head of Travel Choices and Active Travel for TfGM, explained that there was an abundance of great nature spots to explore across the city
“If you’ve been thinking about walking more now is the time to take the first steps – and a guided walk is the ideal way to give it a try,” she said.
“The Walking Festival will offer a free, fun and healthy way to get out and see the best Greater Manchester has to offer. There’s so much to see locally, in our cities and towns and our green spaces – and no better way to explore than by foot.
“The Festival brings together a range of walks for people of all ages and abilities and we hope people across Greater Manchester will take the first steps and see just how much walking can offer.”
TfGM is also getting behind Living Street’s national Walk to Work Week, a free online walking challenge for workplaces taking place between 11-15 May.
Workplaces that take part in the challenge can get free walking packs for their employees from TfGM – including pedometers, collapsible water bottles and ponchos, as well as opportunity to host free events and lunchtime walks.
Funded by the Department of Health, the Walking Festival is part of TfGM’s recently launched Walking Works project, encouraging people to make a walk part of their daily routine.
Walking a slow pace for even 20 minutes a day can give major health benefits, while a fast walk burns almost as many calories as running for the same distance, and increases heart and lung capacity.
You can find out more about the Walking Festival 2015 by clicking here.
