THE GREATER MANCHESTER Walking festival is returning this May, with over 300 fun and friendly guided walks on offer to the public.

The Walking Festival is being co-ordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with support from HOME Manchester who hosted a launch event this week.

The Walking Festival will run throughout May and a number of local groups, organisations and charities across the region have organised routes.

Credit: Transport for Greater Manchester
Credit: Transport for Greater Manchester

Chris Paul, TfGM Committee Cycling and Walking Champion said: “This year’s Greater Manchester Walking Festival is bigger and better and we want to get even more people involved and build on the success we’ve had in the last two years.

“The festival aims to get as many people as possible across the region to find out how easy and enjoyable walking can be. The walks, which cater for a variety of abilities and ages, provide the chance to explore, experience, meet new people and get more active.”

The organisers have worked hard to ensure that most of the walks are easily accessible by public transport.

The walks cover a wide variety of interests and themes, such as health walks, walking netball, art and history, meaning there should be something for everyone to enjoy.

In Rochdale the group Rochdale Ghost Walks, run by actor Colin Meredith will be hosting two ghost walks which are described as “a walk through Rochdale’s murderous past”.

Skyliner, a Manchester based group dedicated to the pursuit of rare art and architecture are running a walk called ‘A Modern History of the Northern Quarter’. This 2-mile walk will run through the Northern Quarter and Ancoats and will chart the history of the area through the use of street art.

Salford Quays, part of one of the walking routes and home to Quays News. Credit: Elliot Thompson
Salford Quays, part of the ‘Health Walk on Salford Quays’ route and home to Quays News. Credit: Elliot Thompson

The Department of Transport is funding the Walking Festival which is part of TfGM’s Walking Works project, which encourages people to go on walks as part of their daily routine.

Mr Paul said: “Walking has obvious health, environmental and social benefits and we hope that by encouraging people to get involved they will be inspired to continue walking regularly after the festival has ended.”

More information about the walks taking place, and a festival brochure can be found on the TfGM website. Copies of the brochure are also available in TfGM travel shops or they can be ordered by emailing walking.works@tfgm.com.

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