GM Walking Festival in full swing for 2023

By GM Walking | 02 May 2023 | TAGS: GM Walking, Walking

The Greater Manchester Walking Festival returns for its seventh year this May with more than 300 different free group walks available across the city region.

The festival, organised by GM Walking, is encouraging everyone to fall in love with the outdoors this Spring through a month-long celebration of walking, wheeling and cycling.

The GM Walking Festival 2023 helps everyone celebrate National Walking Month throughout May.

There is something for all abilities and experience levels at the GM Walking Festival, kindly provided by community groups, walking groups and organisations across Greater Manchester.

Participants can find the right walk for them on the GM Walking website where they can search based on distance, difficulty, proximity to public transport, and accessibility.

Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey, said:

“I'm so impressed with the opportunity provided by the GM Walking Festival and there's never been a better time to get involved.

"Whether you are keen to connect with your local community, find new routes in your area, or just want to get out in the fresh air more often, the festival has something for everyone.

“As part of my Refreshed Mission for Active Travel for Greater Manchester, I placed a huge focus on universal accessibility and this means ensuring everyone can benefit from the simple pleasure of walking or wheeling direct from their front door.

"While walking is often associated with being a popular leisure pursuit, it is also an essential part of the Bee Network and linking active travel with public transport for everyone on foot or in a wheelchair.

“I'm looking forward to following the events that are taking place during the festival and hope everyone enjoys the opportunity to get involved.”

Louise Robbins, from GM Walking, said:

“The GM Walking Festival is the perfect opportunity to explore new places, reconnect with your community and fall in love with walking.

“We hope everyone will get involved with this year’s festival because moving more regularly is so important to healthy, happy communities.

“A huge thanks should also go to all the fantastic community and walking groups who have volunteered to put so many free walks on as part of our festival.”

GM Walking is part of GM Moving, a city region-wide movement to create the conditions for more people to enjoy physical activity as part of their everyday life.

The most recent Sport England data showed that 28% of GM residents do less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every week.

Walking offers one of the most accessible ways for people to move more, offering social connections and a means of travel that can fit into everyday life.

To find a free walk near you, head walk finder on the GM Walking Festival website.

For tools to help you share the opportunities presented by the GM Walking Festival with your partners and networks, contact us here.