Stockport to host 26 events as part of Greater Manchester Walking Festival

Stockport is hosting 26 walks as part of the Greater Manchester Walking Festival, a celebration anyone can join as part of National Walking Month, taking place in May.

Over 300 free group walks are taking place across the city region, with routes and activities to suit all abilities and ages.

Weekly community walks run by Life Leisure and Age UK will start from Stockport Sports Village. There are indoor Confidence Walks for those starting out on their walking journey and/or with long-term health conditions, available in Avondale, Bramhall, Brinnington Park, Offerton and Woodley. The first weekly community walk of the month takes place on Wednesday, 1 May, at 1 p.m. This walk provides residents the opportunity to be in nature with a peaceful woodland walk.

Manchester Inter Varsity Club will be hosting a social 3–5-mile walk, starting in Woodley, travelling through the wonderful Haughton Dale Nature Reserve along the Peak Forest Canal, and ending in Romiley.

Jilla Burgess-Allen, Stockport Council’s Director of Public Health, said:

“Walking is a great way to meet new people, improve your mood, and connect to nature, all while helping you to stay healthy. So, we want to encourage people of all ages and abilities to walk this May and join the festival.”

Louise Robbins, Strategic Lead GM Walking, added:

“GM Walking supports everyone to walk regularly in their neighbourhoods and we hope to inspire everyone to do a little bit more by taking part in this year’s festivities. We’re lucky to live in such a beautiful region – enjoying the great outdoors is just one of many reasons people may wish to get walking this month.”

The GM Walking Festival walk finder is simple to use and will help you find a walk that suits you. Discover the full programme of free, group-led walking and wheeling events on the GM Walking website.

If you can’t join an organised walk, there are plenty of local walking routes on the Stockport Council website that you can walk on your own or with family and friends.

Stockport Walks in the GM Walking Festival:

• Confidence walk Avondale – Tuesday 7^th May, 14^th May and 28^th May at 1 pm
  Starting point: Life Leisure Avondale, SK3 OUP
• Weekly Nordic Walking – Tuesday 7^th May, 14^th May, 21^st May and 28^th May at 1 pm
  Starting point: Pure Café on Turncroft Lane, SK1 4AR
• Confidence Walk Bramhall – Thursday 9^th May, 16^th May, 23^rd May, and 30^th May at 1.30 pm
  Starting point: Bramhall Village Club, 2 Melbourne Road, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 1LR
• Confidence Walk Offerton – Monday 6^th May, 13^th May, 20^th May and 27^th May at 1 pm
  Starting point: Offerton Community Centre, SK2 5NX
• Monthly Wellness Walk – Saturday 4^th May at 9.45 am
  Starting point: Houldswoth Village Lifeleisure, SK5 7AT
• Confidence Walk Brinnington Park – Wed 1^st May, 8^th May, 15^th May, 22^nd May, 29^th May at 10.30 am
  Starting point: Brinnington Park Leisure Complex, SK5 7AT
• Wellness Walk for Mental Health – Wednesday 15^th May at 10.30 am
  Starting point: Brinnington Park Leisure Centre, SK5 8LS
• Confidence Walk Woodley – Fri 3^rd May, 10^th May, 17^th May, 24^th May and 31^st May at 11.30 am
  Starting point: Brinnington Park Leisure Complex, Stockport SK5 7AT
• A Wheelie Good Walk and a Wassail – Sunday 5^th May at 2 pm
  Starting point: Reddish Vale Road, SK5 7HE
• Weekly Community Walk – Wednesday 1^st May, 8^th May,15^th May, 22^nd May and 29^th May at 1 pm
  Starting point: Stockport Sports Village, SK6 1QX
• Woodley and Haughton Dale – Sunday 12^th May at 1.30 pm
  Starting point: Corner of Hyde Road/Smithy Green (near Navigation pub), SK6 1NL