Walk, unwind, and reconnect – how this year’s GM Walking Festival  can support better mental wellbeing

Break away from the daily grind and escape into nature with the GM Walking Festival and GM Ringway this May as part of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. 

More than 350 walking and wheeling events are taking place across the city region as the hugely popular Greater Manchester (GM) Walking Festival returns for 2024 in alignment with National Walking Month. 

 The GM Ringway is Greater Manchester’s walking trail. Covering all ten boroughs, the trail explores a variety of landscapes, including parks, waterways, and beautiful countryside. 

Regular physical activity, such as walking or wheeling, can increase self-esteem, improve sleep, and reduce stress and anxiety. 

It can also play a role in reducing the risk of developing mental health problems and in improving the quality of life of people experiencing mental health problems.  

And with Mental Health Awareness Week running from 13-19 May, GM Ringway are working with MileShyClub and Mandem Meetup to offer opportunities to move more. 

On Saturday 18 May, a mindfulness walk will take place at Chorlton Water Park with a walk for men in collaboration with Mandem Meetup the following day (Sunday 19 May) from Sale Metrolink. 

Alternatively, join GM Ringway and MileShyClub at Longford Park in Trafford on Friday 24 May at 11am for a gentle warm up, a slow loop of the park, stretching, and coffee.  

The GM Walking Festival runs every May, to align with National Walking Month, and is a celebration of walking and wheeling throughout Greater Manchester.  

Community groups, charities, individuals, and many others are putting on free, group-led walks throughout the month alongside Greater Manchester Walking.  

With hundreds of different group walks to choose from, you can search on the GM Walking Festival website for walks based on distance or grading, proximity to public transport, accessibility by wheelchair, buggy-friendly walks, and routes close to cafes and pubs.  

Louise Robbins, Strategic Lead GM Walking, said:  

“This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re encouraging everyone to get walking and wheeling and explore their local area, discovering new places to walk, socialise, and have fun by moving more regularly.  

“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.  

“There’s also the amazing mental wellbeing benefits; better sleep, relieving stress, and building new friendships and connections through group walks.” 

Andrew Read, Project Lead GM Ringway, said:  

“We are really pleased to see the GM Ringway – Greater Manchester’s walking trail – featured in several of the walks included in this year’s GM Walking Festival.  

“Both the GM Walking team and the GM Ringway have the same ambition – of enabling people to get out and discover our fantastic local landscapes and heritage. 

“There’s already a real buzz about the GM Ringway and the festival will get even more people out in the great outdoors exploring more of the region.  

“We’re working with a range of partners, including the MileShy Club and Mandem Meetup, to give all our communities access to the trail. So come along and join a walk!” 

Everyone is invited to the GM Walking Festival and you can discover the full programme of free, group-led walking and wheeling events on the GM Walking website: https://gmwalking.co.uk/festival-routes/