Aligning with May’s National Walking Month, The GM Walking Festival is a celebration of walking and an opportunity for everyone to join in with a programme of free, organised group walks across Greater Manchester.
The month-long programme of activities is organised and shaped by local people and organisations to spread the joy of walking and connect people to each other and local places.
Anyone can join in or host a walk. In 2023, they had over 300 walks submitted by organisations, groups, and individuals, collectively providing a major boost to people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing. Walking has many benefits include meeting new people, getting outdoors, discovering new places, and moving a little more, which is proven to improve long-term health conditions and reduce social isolation.
The GM Walking Festival is built and shaped by local people, and is overseen by a Festival Steering Group which is convened by GM Moving.
The steering group includes previous festival walk organisers, members of GM Walking Voice, and representatives involved in coordinating local walking schemes, programs, and services. All of them bring their expertise and knowledge to support less active people in walking and wheeling more often as part of everyday life.
Find the full programme of walks across Greater Manchester here.
Looking to host a walk? GM Walking Festival have set up help with promotion here:
If you need support promoting your walk, there’s an Activation Pack on the GM Moving Resource Hub that includes:
- FAQs for walkers
- FAQs for walk organisers
- A print-at-home poster (A4) and flyer (A5)
- Top tips and example social media posts
- Top tips for writing press releases
- Downloadable activity sheets and resources
- A sample of generic photos you can use
