LEICESTER’S annual festival of walking has been postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, but its organisers are still offering lots of inspiration for a daily stroll.
The month-long Walk Leicester Festival was due to take place in May, with over 20 led walks and events due to take place. Organisers are now looking to reschedule the festival for a later date.
In the meantime – and as part of National Walking Month – the Walk Leicester team is offering online inspiration for new walking routes with regular updates to the Choose How You Move website.
All routes have been designed to be short enough to complete as part of your daily exercise under lockdown, within the vicinity of your home. Over the coming weeks, it is hoped that the library of routes will offer routes close to home covering most of the city.
The routes can be downloaded free of charge as pdfs or as smartphone guides using the Go Jauntly app.
There are currently about 16 guided walks available on the Choose How You Move website, and it’s being updated every day throughout May. Current examples include:
Belgrave Library to Ellis Meadows
Starting from Cossington Street, this walk guides you along the riverside through Ellis Meadows and back again. The guide also help you learn about the award-winning nature park and its important role in reducing flood risk and providing vital habitats for the city’s wildlife.
A Stroll Around Hamilton
A pleasant circular walk from Hamilton Library taking in green spaces, Hamilton Park and quiet residential streets.
New Parks Library to Western Park
Staring from Aikman Avenue, this circular walk takes you through Western Park and provides a chance to find out about the history of the park’s open-air school and the old Leicester Forest.
A Factory Trail from Spinney Hill Park
Starting from the park gate on St Saviour’s Road, this walk passes former factory buildings from the late-19th to mid-20thcenturies and delves into the history of the companies that were based there and Leicester’s manufacturing past.
Cllr Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor for environment and transportation, said: “Lots of people are rediscovering the enjoyment and health benefits of a daily walk during lockdown. The outbreak might mean we can’t host our usual Walk Leicester Festival, but we can share some of the fabulous walking routes that people can enjoy on their own or with family.
“These guides could help you discover a little more about the area you live in and hopefully encourage more people to make walking for enjoyment a part of their everyday lives.”
People can also share guides to their own recommended short walks by emailing the Walk Leicester Team at choosehowyoumove@leicester.gov.uk
The Go Jauntly app also allows users to upload and share their walks.
For more inspiration, or to share pictures of your own local walks, follow Choose How You Move on Twitter @CHYMLeicsor on Facebook @ChooseHowYouMove
To find out more about walking safely in your local area during National Walking Month go to www.livingstreets.org.ukor follow #WalkThisMay
For more information about all forms of sustainable transport, including walking and cycling, visit www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk