The month-long Bristol Walk Fest returns this May with a ‘one-stop shop’ website for walking in Bristol, featuring over 200 free or low-cost walks and events. The festival showcases the best of Bristol for everyone to enjoy, either on their own or with others, with inclusive walks and events taking place all over the city for people of all ages, interests and abilities.
Walk Fest is a celebration of all things walking related. Now in its tenth year, the event is one of the largest annual urban walking festivals in the UK and takes place as part of Living Streets’ National Walking Month.
The 2022 festival aims to combine the return of the successful programme of ‘in-person’ events and activities from 2019 with the online self-guided walks, challenges and events, and partnership with Go Jauntly that was successfully offered in 2021. This year’s festival will see new challenges for everyone to get involved with, including those hosted by Go Jauntly - a free community-based walking app that allows users to discover nature-filled walking routes.
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Go Jauntly’s 15-minute walking challenge will encourage people to spend time outside every day in May, whether that is walking to work, shops or school. And, as an added incentive, prizes of Good Sixty shopping vouchers and tickets to local attractions, such as Bristol Aquarium, Bristol Zoo and SS Great Britain, plus Go Jauntly premium memberships will be on offer each week.
Bristol Walk Fest kicked off on 28 April at 2pm with Alex Rotas’ NO LIMITS#2 exhibition displayed on College Green. Alex is a Bristol-based photographer, writer and public speaker who is passionate about promoting active ageing and the benefits of the wonderful grass-roots sports initiatives in Bristol.
The exhibition features older elite athletes as well as local groups participating in a range of walking activities, all displayed to celebrate Bristol Walk Fest 2022. And, exciting activities such as these will take place for the entire month of May.
Festival director Karen Lloyd says: “A short, brisk daily walk has lots of health benefits, including building stamina, burning calories and strengthening the heart, and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
“We already know people have been walking more due to lockdown and we’re excited that the Bristol Walk Fest website provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for all things walking-related in Bristol. We are showcasing the huge range of walking opportunities there are in our city, hopefully inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to try different routes or join a walking group now that restrictions are easing.”
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “It’s fantastic to be celebrating ten years of Bristol Walk Fest and I am sure thousands of people from across the city will get involved this year. The festival is a great way to meet new people, discover new places and to see the city from a different perspective.
Remember to make the most of all the walking resources that are available, including the Walk Fest website and Go Jauntly app.” Free copies of the festival programme, detailing all the walks and events, are available from GP surgeries, local libraries, and community and sports centres while stocks last; alternatively, the programme can be found on the event website: www.bristolwalkfest.com
You can keep up to date with all activity on social media, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
