Greater Manchester Walking Festival

About

No matter whether you're a stroller, roamer, shuffler, moocher or a marcher the Greater Manchester Walking Festival (GM Walking Festival) has something for you. Back bigger and better for the fifth year, it runs from Wednesday 1st to Friday 31st May, and offers 400 free guided walks exploring towns, cities, the countryside, canals, riversides and parks across Greater Manchester.

In 2019 the aim of the event is to encourage residents of Greater Manchester to rediscover their local area, reconnect with their friends and neighbours and to get out and about more. Walks cater for all abilities and interests, from a romp around Alkington Woods, Middleton to a scenic wheelchair-friendly ramble along the Bridgewater Canal.

The Festival is delivered by GM Moving, in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with support from local walking groups and charities.

As part of this year's event, there are three themed walks honouring inspiring women of Rochdale, Manchester and Oldham. The first takes place on 5th May in Rochdale which starts at the Dame Gracie Fields statue, The Esplanade. On the 9th May there is a walk in Manchester City Centre from the Emmeline Pankhurst statue, St. Peter's Square, and 19th May from Annie Kenney statue, Parliament Square, Oldham. The themed walks are led by knowledgeable Blue Badge accredited guides. The Festival is also working with We Stand Together and The Great Get Together campaign inspired by Jo Cox, to organise a Great Walk Together, that aims to connect walkers from across Greater Manchester at a central venue finale on 27th May. Free tickets for the themed walks and the Great Walk Together can be booked via Eventbrite.