Get your walking boots ready for Bristol WalkFest 2021

The month-long Bristol Walk Fest returns this May with a ‘one stop shop’ website of walking in Bristol featuring an impressive variety of walking routes, groups, information and competitions.

This year, Bristol Walk Fest has adapted its programme of walks to make more available online and to download for free via the walking app Go Jauntly, encouraging you to get out safely with friends and family and reconnect with the city after lockdown and benefit from the improved physical and mental wellbeing that walking brings.

Walking can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier, but you don’t need to walk for hours to reap the benefits. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.

With nearly 100 walks showcasing the best of Bristol for everyone to enjoy on their own or with others, there is something for all ages, interests and abilities across the city.

Bristol City Council is also marking the occasion with the launch of more than 60 curated Bristol walks on the Go Jauntly app. The council’s new partnership with the app will allow Bristolians to uncover walks and enjoy the outdoors from their doorstep, using a variety of routes that can be downloaded and previewed. Based on your location, simple photo guides lead you around urban areas and surrounding wildlife, from green spaces to historical sites to community gardens.

Festival director and Active Ageing Manager at Age UK Bristol, Karen Lloyd says: “We already know people have been walking more due to lockdown and we’re excited that our new website provides a ‘one stop shop’ for all things walking related in Bristol. We showcase 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.”

Adam Crowther, Head of City Strategic Transport at Bristol City Council, said: “We are pleased to be supporting Walk Fest this year and to be joining the effort to provide Bristolians with more tools to enjoy the outdoors, despite the pandemic. Over the last year we have seen a big increase in people walking, cycling and visiting green spaces all around the city and we want to capture these benefits and keep that momentum going. We encourage everyone to get involved and make the most of the new walking resources, including the Walk Fest website and Go Jauntly app.”

You can keep up to date with all activity on the website by clicking here.