News / Bristol Walk Fest
Bristol Walk Fest returns for 2022
People can explore just outside their own doorstep, venture further afield and discover hidden gems when Walk Fest returns in May.
Billed as an opportunity to “showcase and nurture Bristol’s vibrant and diverse walking environment”, the month-long festival returns for its tenth year in 2022 with a packed programme of events, activities and places to wander.
One of the UK’s largest urban celebrations of walking, Bristol Walk Fest takes place from May 1-31 and aims to encourage people to get out and make the most of where they live.
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It includes a range of mostly free events suitable for all ages, interests and fitness levels, from wellbeing walks to walking football, nature trails, story walks, Nordic walking on the Downs and a young onset dementia walking group with Bristol Ramblers, which is new for this year.
Organiser Karen Lloyd says: “What I most enjoy about the festival is it brings everyone together and creates a unique and special opportunity to showcase and nurture Bristol’s vibrant and diverse walking environment.
“Walk Fest is important locally as it encourages people to get out and about and explore the city, helping people discover local green spaces, accessible walking routes and places of hidden interest.”
Bristol Walk Fest even earned a place in Outdooractive’s list of best walking festivals for 2022.
Bristol Walk Fest has events for people of all ages and abilities – photo: Bristol Walk Fest
Last year, festival organisers worked with Outdooractive to create virtual activities by digitising paper-based walking routes to create self-guided walks that could be followed year around using a free navigation app.
Online elements will remain in place for this year.
Karen explains: “By having some walks online as a taster and working with Outdooractive to reach a wider audience, we were able to encourage people to visit as and when permitted, keeping the tradition going.
“2022 will see a return of the successful programme of in-person events and activities from 2019, combined with the online self-guided walks, challenges and events offered in 2021.”
The festival will include an outdoor photographic competition, NO LIMITS#2, in collaboration with the internationally renowned Bristol-based photographer Alex Rotas.
Karen adds: “The key message is, there are no limits on the age at which a person can take up a new activity; no limits to the physical, mental and social benefits active living can deliver; no limits to the fun to be had in the process.”
Walk Fest is “a unique and special opportunity to showcase and nurture Bristol’s vibrant and diverse walking environment” – photo: Bristol Design/ Walk Fest
Find out more and access the full programme via www.bristolwalkfest.com/
Main photo: Bristol Walk Fest
Read more: A project mapping Bristol’s walking routes calls on volunteers to road-test them
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